varsity.roanoke.com

SCRUGGS -- When Ji Soo Park emigrated from his native South Korea to the United States six years ago, he could not speak English.

So one way he learned the language was by watching cartoons.

His favorite?

"Tom and Jerry," Park said.

And which did character did he like better, Tom or Jerry?

"Jerry," Park said. "You know, running away."

It figures. The other 71 players in the VHSL Group AAA golf championship will be chasing Park in today's final round at The Waterfront Country Club.

The junior from Chantilly overcame frigid early-morning conditions for a 1-over-par 72 that gave him a two-stroke cushion over four other contenders -- Noon Hyun of Centreville, Andrew McCracken of First Colonial, Joe Moloney of James Madison and Tim Ritter of Westfield.

Franklin County's Josh Neal -- the lone Timesland player in the field -- shot an 84 and trails by 12 strokes.

"It was freezing in the morning," Park said. "This is not an easy course. You have to manage it. Even if you hit the green you have to be in a place where you can putt.

"I've never been on a course this hilly where the greens are this hard to putt."

The team scores illustrated the tough conditions.

Northern Region champion Westfield -- a two-time runner-up but never a state champion -- shot a four-man score of 312 to lead James Madison of Vienna by two strokes.

Defending champ James River of Midlothian is tied for third with Loudoun Valley at 327.

Neal, who survived a playoff in the Northwest Region tournament to qualify for the state event, was paired with Park in an 8:30 a.m. tee time.

The Franklin County senior struggled with his iron play, and his round of 84 included a two-stroke penalty on No. 17.

Neal's ball was imbedded in mud. He lifted and cleaned the ball, but instead of taking a drop, he placed the ball on the ground. Winter rules would have allowed the action, but the VHSL tournament is not using winter rules.

Franklin County coach Charles Jamison, who was following the group, said he also misinterpreted the rule.

"There were four [coaches] there," Jamison said. "We were all confident we were calling it correctly. We were not. I really regret it."

Franklin County assistant coach Stuart Jamison said he did not inform Neal about the two-stroke penalty until after the round.

"He was kind of disappointed, but I don't think it's eating him up," Stuart Jamison said.

Neal, who is tied for 37th place, still could salvage a solid showing today on a course where he has played several times this year.

"If he can put together a straighter round with his irons, he can get in the 70s and I know that's where he wants to be," Charles Jamison said.

Park, ranked 86th in the AJGA national rankings, has higher aspirations.

Third in Group AAA a year ago behind two-time winner Brinson Paolini of Frank Cox, Park desperately wants to become Chantilly's first champion since Jenny Suh in 2002.

"It's huge," Park said. "Winning the state means a lot to me."