ST. SIMONS ISLAND, Ga. — Memorial High School junior Cory Whitsett added the 91st Western Junior title to his growing resume on Friday, coasting to a 2-under-par 68 to close out the 72-hole championship at 12-under-par 268, four strokes in front of Tyler McCumber and T.J. Vogel.

Whitsett started the day two shots in front of Vogel and four ahead of McCumber at Sea Island Golf Club’s Seaside Course. Whitsett had his lead shaved to within a shot through 13 holes, but on the par-5 No. 15 he two-putted for birdie and Vogel bogeyed.

Whitsett parred the final three holes.

“I’m really pleased,” Whitsett told tournament officials. “Today was a test of patience. I didn’t really get much to drop and didn’t hit the ball as well as I had been. I putted well, but nothing really went in … I didn’t have any bogeys, though.”

McCumber, 17, of Ponte Vedra, Fla., matched Whitsett’s 68 but never could put pressure on the leader.

For Whitsett, who is second in the current Polo Golf rankings, adding the Western Junior – the oldest national junior championship – to his list of wins was especially satisfying.

“There have been some great players win this and some who played in it and didn’t win,” said Whitsett, the 2007 U.S. Junior champion who won the 5A state championship in May. “To win it gives me a really good feeling. I really hit the ball well this week, especially under pressure down the stretch. It really feels good.”

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