Fowles is tied for 2nd at AJGA Glenwild Junior

PARK CITY — Except for a double bogey on the final hole when his second shot splashed into the water fronting the 18th green, Delta's Jordan Fowles would be leading the field of the AJGA Glenwild Junior, featuring top golfers from all over the United States.

Fowles, a 17-year-old who will be a senior at Delta High, fired a 2-over 73 Wednesday at the Glenwild Golf Club and stands at 147 after two rounds of the first-ever American Junior Golf Association event in Utah.

First-day leader Tyler Smith of San Juan Capristrano, Calif., held on to the lead at 146, despite a second-round 75, following his 71 in the opening round. Peter Ahn, who drove down from British Columbia and led a group of nine qualifiers in Sunday's qualifying tournament, is tied with Fowles at 147 after a second-round 74.

Not only is this the first AJGA event to be played in Utah, it's Fowles' first appearance in an AJGA tourney, which only invites top junior players between the ages of 12 and 18 based on their performance in various junior tournaments. Most are from the West, but the field includes golfers from as far away as Massachusetts and Maryland.

"I hit it solid (Wednesday), but didn't make anything," Fowles said. "(Tuesday) I made everything I looked at."

Fowles birdied the third and 13th holes and had birdie opportunities at 10, 11 and 12, but missed his putts. He had another birdie chance at No. 14, but after running his long putt 10 feet past the hole, he missed coming back to go back to even par.

At both 15 and 17, Fowles left birdie putts less than six inches short, which was tough to do on the quick greens. "You have to be careful, because if you run them by, they can run forever," he said.

On the 479-yard par-4 final hole, Fowles hit an iron off the tee and had 205 yards to the front of the green. His 5-iron got too much turf and the ball just missed clearing the water.

Although he was disappointed with his finishing double bogey, Fowles isn't too upset to be starting the final round just one shot back.

"It's the best position to be in, I think," said Fowles, who can play more aggressive, rather than trying to protect a lead.

Smith also double bogeyed the final hole after making a triple bogey at No. 14.

"I actually played better (Wednesday) than (Tuesday), but shot worse," said Smith. "I hit the ball twice as good, but everything lipped out and I had some bad luck."