Wed Jul 23 14:32:05 2008

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Valdes claims medalist honors at U.S. Junior Amateur

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Shoal Creek, AL (Sports Network) - Jorge Fernandez Valdes closed a two-over 74 Wednesday to capture medalist honors at the U.S. Junior Amateur Championship at Shoal Creek.

Valdes finished the two stroke-play rounds at five-under-par 139, one stroke clear of Cody Gribble, who carded two rounds of 70.

The stroke-play portion of the championship was completed Wednesday after storms halted play on Tuesday with half the field still needing to complete the second round of stroke play.

The tournament will be playing catch-up over the next several days as just the first-round of match play was scheduled for Wednesday. However, Thursday and Friday have two rounds scheduled prior to the 36-hole final on Saturday.

Cameron Peck, Justin Shin and Sam Smith held the clubhouse lead entering Wednesday, but shared third place at two-under-par 142.

Defending champion Cory Whitsett stumbled to a two-over 74 in the second round to finish in a tie for sixth at minus-one. He was joined there by Richard Werenski (69), Julian Suri and Phillip Choi.