Pikunas breaks through at Hudson

Staff report

Boardman’s Jacinta Pikunas is playing some of the best golf of her life and she’s collecting the wins to prove it.

Eased by a second round of 4-under par 68, Pikunas cruised to the biggest tournament win of her young career on Thursday by winning the Hudson Junior Invitational.

Pikunas, who just finished her freshman year at Boardman High School, shot 74-68-74 at The Country Club of Hudson for a score of even-par for the tournament. She said the win was “definitely a breakthrough”

Holding a four-stroke lead entering the third and final day, Pikunas felt the pressure building.

“I got off to a rough start and was on the verge of tears at the fifth hole,” she said. “Then something happened where I felt all the pressure and stress break.”

After posting a 40 on the front nine, Pikunas book-ended here back nine with two birdies to win by four strokes.

“It was such a big relief,” she said. “I was unbelievably nervous at the beginning of that round, but once it was over I was so happy.

Pikunas wanted to add a special message for her father, Mike: “With it being Father’s Day, I’d just like to thank my Dad for everything he’s done for me.”