10-year-old Addilyn Stephens wins Paris Junior Golf Invitational
PEARL, Miss. — Addilyn Stephens, a 10-year-old golfer from Pearl, Mississippi, won the Paris Junior Golf Invitational, defeating an international field with a 4-under-par score over 27 holes, according to her family and coaches.
Competing in the 9-10 age division, Stephens finished with a 10-shot lead, including a final nine holes score of 3-under 33. She hit 24 of 27 greens in regulation during the tournament, a percentage surpassing that of top-ranked professional Scotty Scheffler, who hits about 72.5% of greens in regulation.
After returning to Mississippi on Tuesday evening, Stephens was back on the practice green at Patrick Farms in Pearl early the next morning. Her dedication to improving her game is evident, with her coach calling her a perfectionist and the most driven young golfer he has worked with.
Stephens started playing golf at age 4 and began lessons at 6. Her father, Randy Stephens, who works in sales, said she now beats him by six strokes in their matches and that her passion for the sport is strong. Her mother, Melissa, an assistant principal, said she provides support and manages logistics for her daughter’s tournaments.
During her trip to France, Stephens also enjoyed sightseeing, visiting the Louvre, the Eiffel Tower, the Arc de Triomphe, and the Palace of Versailles. She said meeting girls from various countries and cultures was her favorite part of the trip, and she used Google Translate to communicate with some of her new friends.
Adding to her achievements, Stephens plans to compete in the Junior World Championships at Pinehurst, North Carolina, later this month. She finished 42nd in last year’s event as a 9-year-old and expects to improve this year, now more experienced and confident.
Golf experts acknowledge the sport’s challenges. Cissy Gallagher, a former Mississippi State Amateur champion, noted that expectations can be difficult but praised Stephens for her early success and love for the game. Gallagher emphasized that golf is a marathon, not a sprint, but added that Stephens is off to a remarkable start.
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