WINONA LAKE – Nick Hardy definitely saved his best for last on Thursday.

Paced by his prolific putter, Hardy finished with a flourish to capture the championship of the AJGA Stonehenge Junior Open.

Hardy, who hails from Northbrook, Illinois, birdied five of his final seven holes in shooting a career-low round of eight under 63.

Hardy, who trailed leader Cameron Michalak by four shots entering the final round of the 54-hole event, finished at 202. Michalak, who shot a 70 Thursday, finished at 205 for runner-up honors, tying with Brendan O’Reilly of Hinsdale, Illinois. O’Reilly shot a 67 Thursday to finish at 205.

Hardy’s final round 63 was just one shot off the course record of 62 set by Mason Carmel in the 2011 AJGA Stonehenge Junior Open.

The tourney title was the first AJGA event win for Hardy, a high school senior to be who has committed to play at Illinois.

“I definitely wanted to win an AJGA event, so this means a lot to me,” said Hardy.  “I definitely would not have been happy had I not won today.

“I made a lot of putts today. I played my kind of golf. I made a 30-footer to birdie the par 3 No. 14 and that gave me momentum. I really didn’t know much of what the leaders were doing behind me, but I knew I had to go on a run.”

Hardy went on some kind of run indeed to cap his stellar performance. He birdied 14, 15 and 16 before making par on 17 and concluding his outstanding round with another birdie on 18.

“My goal was to shoot 66 today,” said Hardy, who had just 26 putts in both his second and third rounds. “My putting has been holding me back, but I loved the greens here. They were very pure. I fell in love with them. They were awesome.”

Hardy arrived in town early Tuesday morning after playing in a qualifier for the US Amateur in Massachusetts.

Maria Vesga won the girls’ title Thursday on the second hole of a sudden-death playoff. The native of Colombia shot even par 71 in her final round to pull into a three-way tie with Danielle Nicholson and Julia Calbi at 216.

Vesga, who trailed leader Nicholson by two shots entering the final round, birdied the first playoff hole as did Nicholson. She then parred the second hole to win the title, her second victory of the season.

“I was a little nervous heading into the playoff, but I had to just play confident golf,” said Vesga. “I controlled my emotions well. This win is huge for me.”

Will Petro proudly carried the banner for his Warsaw Tigers in the final round Thursday.

The WCHS senior to be, unfortunately, was done in by his putter on his home course. Petro was the lone Tiger of the six entered in the tourney to make the cut for the final round.

Petro, who helped coach Ben Barkey’s squad advance to the State Finals in June, shot 77 Thursday while playing in the final group of the day with Michalak and Orion Yamat. Petro was outstanding with rounds of 69 and 68 Tuesday and Wednesday to sit just two shots off the lead entering the final round. He finished at 214 to tie for 20th place.

“I was hitting the ball awesome today, but my putter just didn’t help me at all,” said Petro. “I was just pushing putts. It was just me.

“But, it was a fun three days and I’m still pretty happy. My goal coming in was to make the cut. My ball striking was really good and I made putts the first two days.

“I had 11 birdies through the first 36 holes and had just one today. But, this was a good experience that I can take away a lot from. I know I can play and that my potential is up there now. I’m excited about next golf season.”

The hometown hue of bright orange was out in full colors supporting Petro as coach Barkey and about 10 of his Tiger players were sporting their team colors in bright orange gear from head to toe.

“I loved having everyone here today,” said Petro about the show of support from his teammates, including Ball State bound former Tiger standout Jon Schram.

Michael Sharp of Kendallville finished in a tie for eighth place at 210. Tyler Green of Columbia City was 17th at 212.

Kari Belleville of Granger was tied for fifth in the final girls’ standings at 222. Jaycee Bunner of Fort Wayne was 10th at 227.

The tourney began with 108 boys and 36 girls in the field from 18 different states and also Colombia, Canada and China.

Complete tournament results can be found on the AJGA website.