Prized UK recruit from Lexington won big in high school. This week, she did it again.
An incoming University of Kentucky golfer showed this week why the Wildcats wanted her so badly.
Lexington Christian Academy senior Laney Frye dominated the inaugural Pete & Alice Dye Junior Invitational at Crooked Stick Golf Club in Carmel, Ind., winning the 54-hole tournament by five strokes.
The lone freshman in the UK women’s team’s 2020 class, Frye shot rounds of 73, 71 and 70 to complete the tournament at 2-under. She was the only golfer in the field to finish below par.
Frye, who won the KHSAA individual state championship in 2018 and was runner-up in 2019, entered the final round with a two-shot lead after carding seven birdies in Tuesday’s second round, then pulled away on Wednesday thanks to spectacular performances on two holes.
Frye eagled the par-5 No. 9 hole to get back to even on the day. On the par-5 No. 15 hole, she laid up with her second shot then dropped in another eagle from 90 yards out, all but locking up the title.
“To win this is incredible,” Frye said. “It was definitely a goal of mine coming into and something I’ll never forget.”
It was a talented field Frye bested in Indiana. Of the 33 players who entered, 15 are considered top-100 juniors nationally. Frye said though she hadn’t been able to compete in any official events leading up to the invitational because of the coronavirus pandemic, she has been able to practice and play with friends in recent weeks.
“I think that really helped my short game come along and be in good position for this week,” Frye said. “Playing in a tournament is always a different feel so there were definitely some nerves on the first tee.”
Frye was named Miss Golf in 2018 and 2019, leading LCA to consecutive state team championships. The three-time All-State First Team performer signed with Kentucky last fall.
“We are very excited to add Laney to our Kentucky family,” UK head coach Golda Borst said after Frye signed. “She is one of the strongest players to come out of our state and it means a great deal to us that she chose to stay close to home and represent the Wildcats.”
Frye won the Kentucky Girls Junior Amateur last summer at Cherry Blossom Golf Club in Georgetown with a score of 7-under par. She medaled at the U.S. Golf Association Girls Junior Qualifier and qualified for the 2019 Girls Junior PGA Championship in Hartford, Conn., where current UK freshman Jensen Castle placed second.
