The 2025 Harvey Norman ACT Junior Championship is heading into its final round tomorrow, with fierce battles at the top of the leaderboard in both the boys’ and girls’ divisions. A cold but sunny Day 3 saw players contend with tricky pin positions and firm greens, setting the stage for a dramatic finish at Murrumbidgee Country Club.
Girls Division
In the girls’ division, Kortni Houston (Gungahlin Lakes GC) remains in control, leading the field with an even-par total after a strong third-round 72. Houston’s ability to stay composed under pressure has kept her in prime position to secure the title, with her third round described as “boring” by her dad. “I played pretty steady all day. Didn’t do anything special, but didn’t make any big mistakes either”, as the local A.C.T girl finished the third round at one under par.
At one point, the lead was as many as four shots, before her closest challenger, fellow Gungahlin Lakes junior Sophia Chau, applied the pressure on the back nine. “Sophia had a great back nine, making three birdies in a row there at one point, so I had to stay focused to stay in front.
Chau rallied to fire an even par 73 and trails by two shots at 2-over-par. The battle for third is led by Kiara Connolly-Jackson (Kooindah Waters GC), who posted her best round of the tournament with a 74, finishing the day at 8-over-par.
Top 5 Girls After Round 3:
1st – Kortni Houston (Gungahlin Lakes GC): 71-76-72 (E)
2nd – Sophia Chau (Gungahlin Lakes GC): 71-77-73 (+2)
3rd – Kiara Connolly-Jackson (Kooindah Waters GC): 76-77-74 (+8)
4th – Constance Wang (Strathfield GC): 77-77-76 (+11)
T-5th – Sophie Tong (Monash CC): 74-84-74 (+13)
T-5th – Alicia Ludi (Sanctuary Cove GC): 79-75-78 (+13)
Girls Leaderboard (CLICK TO VIEW)
Boys Division
The boys’ competition has a thrilling tie at the top, with Cooper Giddings (Dubbo GC) and Ti Fox (Concord GC) sharing the lead at 1-under-par. Giddings rebounded from a challenging second round to shoot a steady 71 today, while Fox matched his effort with a composed performance of his own.
“I played ok today” said Fox, scrambling well from off the green with some clever up and downs with both 3-wood and putter.
Giddings had a chance to take a one shot lead into the final round on the 18th green, his par putt sliding by on the low side which saw the two 16-year-old’s sharing the lead.
Just two shots back are 14-year-old young guns, William Eldridge (Avondale GC) and Blake Cranston (Toukley GC), who sit tied for third at 1-over-par. Both players have shown consistency over three rounds, with Cranston’s even-par 72 keeping him within striking distance and playing his way into the final group on Thursday.
The top five is rounded out by Darcy Mackay (The Australian GC) and Bill Eppelstun (Catalina CC) at 3-over-par, with Eppelstun falling back after a tough 78 in the third round.
Top 5 Boys After Round 3:
T-1st – Cooper Giddings (Dubbo GC): 68-76-71 (-1)
T-1st – Ti Fox (Concord GC): 70-74-71 (-1)
T-3rd – William Eldridge (Avondale GC): 69-75-73 (+1)
T-3rd – Blake Cranston (Toukley GC): 72-73-72 (+1)
T-5th – Darcy Mackay (The Australian GC): 74-73-72 (+3)
T-5th – Bill Eppelstun (Catalina CC): 69-72-78 (+3)
Boys Leaderboard ( Click To VIEW)
Final Round Information
The final round tees off tomorrow from 6:45 am, with the leaders set to begin at 8:55 am. Players will need to bring their best to navigate the course and contend for the championship.
The awards presentation will take place at 1:30 pm, where the 2025 ACT Junior Champions will be crowned.
- Full Tee Times: Tour Tee Times
