PONTE VEDRA BEACH | Ambrose Kinnare, a talented junior golfer from St. Augustine, is not currently leading the Junior Players Championship, but he showcased resilience during the second round of the tournament held on September 5 at the Players Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass.
The 17-year-old, who attends Tocoi Creek High School, faced a tough challenge in his opening round, finishing with a score of 82 on September 4. This performance placed him tied for 76th, only three strokes ahead of the last position. Kinnare's first round was marred by six bogeys across eight holes, with just two birdies to balance the scorecard. Reflecting on his performance, he noted, "A lot of little things... I missed a lot of shots by like 5 yards... a little bit out there and you're making [big] numbers."
Despite the disappointing start, Kinnare remained determined to compete and did not consider withdrawing. He returned for the second round and, after facing early bogeys on holes 5 and 7, he steadied his game to finish with an even-par 36 on the back nine, concluding the round with a score of 74. This marked an improvement of eight strokes from his first round, leaving him at 12-over par and in a tie for 66th place.
One of the highlights of Kinnare's second round was a spectacular chip-in birdie at the par-3 17th hole. After his tee shot went long and left of the green, he executed a remarkable chip shot that found the hole, prompting a celebratory dance. "A little 54 [degree wedge], a couple of bounces and it rolled in," he described with enthusiasm.
As Kinnare looks ahead to the final round on September 6, he acknowledges the challenge of catching up to the leaders. Currently, he trails co-leaders Guiseppe Puebla (72) from Royal Palm Beach, Sam Carraher (70) from Crown Point, Indiana, and Dawson Lew (69) from Toronto by 16 strokes. Kinnare's high school teammate, Kaden James, is also competing, sitting at 7-over and tied for 47th, five shots ahead of Kinnare.
Historically, many future PGA Tour winners have faced difficult rounds at the Junior Players Championship. Notable players like Grayson Murray and Will Zalatoris struggled in their early rounds before achieving success on the professional circuit. Kinnare's ability to bounce back in the second round may serve as a valuable learning experience for his future in competitive golf.
After his round, Kinnare expressed satisfaction with his performance, stating, "I can play decent out here... I played terrible yesterday and just changed a few things off the tee. That's kind of it, really." He adjusted his strategy by opting for fairway metals and long irons instead of the driver on several holes, which allowed him to hit more greens in regulation. He also noted the importance of focus on every shot, contrasting the demands of TPC Sawgrass with his home course, the Slammer & Squire.
Kinnare's performance did not go unnoticed, as several college coaches were present to observe him during the second round. One coach praised his talent and highlighted the significance of his ability to recover from a poor round, suggesting that such resilience is a crucial quality in a golfer. "You recruit the dog inside," the coach remarked, emphasizing the importance of mental toughness in the sport.
Meanwhile, Charlie Woods, the son of two-time Players champion Tiger Woods, remains a contender in the tournament. He recorded a score of 73 in the second round, bringing his total to even par 144, placing him within striking distance of the leaders. Woods began the day strong with birdies on the second and third holes but faced challenges with bogeys on the 11th, 12th, and 16th holes. He managed to finish on a positive note with a birdie at the 18th hole.
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