Carthage’s Murphy builds ‘a little extra confidence’ with second-place finish at LPGC

QUINCY — Nolan Murphy didn’t worry about being on the leaderboard, even if it created a twinge of pressure going into the final round of the Pepsi Little People’s Golf Championships.

“A little bit I guess,” Murphy said. “But I really didn’t have anything to lose because I’d never been there. Last year, I was in 20th or so place because I played terrible. So I didn’t have anything to lose compared to these other kids. I just went out and played.”

And the Carthage golfer played as well as he ever has.

Murphy shot a 3-over 74 — his best competitive round to date — and finished second in the boys 12-13 division with a two-day total of 149. Jonathan Ward of Waukee, Iowa, won the division championship with a 147.

“It’s a little extra confidence,” Murphy said. “I scored that well, and I even left a few out there. So I feel good about my game.”

Murphy opened the even with a 75, but took advantage of his ability to set up chances for birdies and pars.

“I didn’t have too many big mistakes,” Murphy said. “I hit a lot of greens in regulation, so I didn’t put too much pressure on my short game.”

It allowed him to match Quincy Notre Dame’s Beau Eftink, who was second in the boys 14-15 division, for the highest finish by an area golfer.

“A couple mistakes, but overall better than yesterday,” Murphy said. “I’ll take it.”

In the boys 16-17 division, Quincy High School senior Gabriel Gold shot a 2-over 73 and finished 10th at 149. Hannibal senior Quinn Thomas tied for 11th at 150 after back-to-back rounds of 4-over 75.

In the girls 16-17 division, Quincy’s Saya Geinsendorfer shot an 83 and finished at 169.