Los Al High Student Playing In International Golf Tourney Today

A Los Alamitos High School student faced off against some of the best young golfers in the world Tuesday. 

Esther Lee, 17, of the United States Junior Ryder Cup Team, was scheduled to begin play in a singles match Tuesday after the first day of play at 8th Annual PGA Junior Ryder Cup at Olympia Fields Country Club in Illinois.

After Monday's play, the U.S. had a 6 1/2 to 4 1/2 lead over their European opponents. However, after this Tuesday's final foursome session, the U.S. has a one-up lead after sixteen holes in a mixed-fourball match. 

U.S. Captain Roger Warren was pleased with his team’s performance during the six morning foursome matches and five four-ball matches Monday, according to PGA spokesman Randy Stutzman.

"Any time you come out of the first day with the lead, it's very good," said Warren on Monday. "We still need to finish well tomorrow morning, and you never know what can happen in singles."

In the morning’s foursome matches, Lee and teammate Jim Liu defeated opponents Victor Tärnström and Linnea Ström by six holes after the 13th hole.

“Both Esther and I played well this afternoon and were able to help the team out with a full point,” said Liu, according the PGA site.

In yesterday’s afternoon mixed-ball match, Esther Lee played with counterpart Alison Lee against Emily Pedersen and Linnea Strom. The Lee/Lee team won with one-up on their opponents.

According to the PGA, Esther Lee was a member of the 2010 U.S. Junior Ryder Cup team, finished third in the 2012 Junior PGA Championship and was runner-up in the 2012 U.S. Girls' Junior Championship.

The Junior Ryder Cup, a premier international team match-play competition, features 12 junior golfers from the United States hosting their European counterparts.