Kaj Johnston & Kaitlyn Helm Victorious At Phoenix City Junior Championship

The Phoenix City Junior Championship took place July 1–2 at Legacy Golf Resort and Aguila Golf Course. Things were heating up in the desert.

In the Boys Championship Division, Kaj Johnston of Scottsdale jumped out to an early lead at Aguila 18, carding a 4-under 68 in the opening round. With a one-shot edge heading into day two, Johnston had a target on his back as contenders like Quinton Breuer of Peoria and others hovered within striking distance. The leaderboard stayed red-hot—literally and figuratively—with 14 players under par after round one.

The final round turned into a showdown between Johnston and Cruz Carter of Scottsdale, who came roaring back with the Low Round of the Week: a blistering 7-under 65. Carter made history with a career-best front-nine 29, highlighted by two eagles on par 5s, setting the tone for a thrilling comeback. His 8-under total forced a playoff with Johnston.

With tensions high, the two exchanged blows in extra holes, but it was Johnston who had the final say, clinching the title in dramatic fashion. Jack Abraham of Paradise Valley and Lucas Polec of Tucson finished tied for third at 6-under par.

On the Girls Championship side, future Washington State Cougar Kaitlyn Helm of Litchfield Park came out firing with a scorching 8-under 64 at Aguila 18—earning Low Round of the Week honors and setting the pace early. Helm’s front-nine 8-under tear, including 7-under over her last six holes, helped her seize control and never look back. She stayed composed in the final round to secure her second win of the season, finishing at 7-under par, five shots clear of the field. Alexis Vakasiuola of San Tan Valley claimed solo second at 2-under, while Maddison Moltich of Gold Canyon and Tyla Greenwood of Tucson tied for third at 1-over.

In other divisions:

• Mason Danninger of Scottsdale took the Boys 15–18 division by two strokes at 3-over par (72–75 at Aguila 18).
• Hudson Moszer prevailed in a playoff to win the Boys 13–14 division at Legacy.
• Kyle Wojtcuk of Waddell went back-to-back in the Boys 11–12 division, shooting 1-over at Aguila 9 (looped twice).
• Emery Bingham of Glendale edged out the Boys 10 and Under division by one stroke, finishing at 6-over (also Aguila 9, looped twice).

On the girls’ side:

• At Aguila 18, Samantha Evangelista of Queen Creek picked up her fourth win of the season, finishing at 10-over par.
• Abby Kelly of Mesa earned top honors in the Girls 13–14 division at Legacy, firing a 78–66 to finish at 2-over.
• At Aguila 9, Amy Xuan of Chandler claimed the Girls 11–12 title at 5-over (59).
• Aviana Vilar of Peoria made it four straight wins, capturing the Girls 10 and Under division by four strokes at 6-over (60).

FULL RESULTS | TOURNEY PHOTOS