CUMBERLAND – Austen Truslow never shot as low as 67 in a tournament before.

Until Thursday.

Truslow rolled in a birdie putt on 18 and gave a fist pump Tiger Woods would be proud of.

The outcome was never in doubt as Truslow, who summers in Islesboro with his family, captured his second straight Maine Junior Championship in the boys’ 15-17 division at Val Halla Golf Course.

Truslow finished with a 36-hole total of 9-under 135 to win by 13 shots.

Meghan Flanigan of Pittsfield also won her second straight girls’ 15-17 age division. Flanigan won by one shot over Alice Hwang of Bangor, 173 to 174.

Next up for Truslow, 16, who lives in New Smyrna Beach, Fla., the rest of the year, is the U.S. Amateur at Cherry Hills Country Club, just outside Denver, from Aug. 13-19.

Truslow earned a spot in the U.S. Amateur at a qualifying tournament held at Sanford Country Club last month. Truslow was medalist at Sanford, which sent two players from a 150-player field to the national tournament.

Truslow has played the last two years in the junior championship because the Maine State Golf Association allows non-residents to play if they belong to a member club of the MSGA. Truslow and his family are members of Tarratine Golf Course in Islesboro.

In the past year and a half, Truslow has grown 6 inches to 6-foot-5 and has gained 35 pounds.

While Truslow said his growth spurt required adjustments to his swing, he has transitioned well under Mike Bender, one of the top teachers in the country.

“My game has changed so much. I’ve added 30 yards off the tee,” said Truslow.

A year ago, Truslow won the tournament with rounds of 71-70. He used strong game management skills and power to shoot even lower this time.

“I stuck to my conservative game plan on the front nine, which is tighter. I hit three irons off the par 4s,” he said.

Truslow was more aggressive on the more spacious back nine fairways.

“I killed the driver off the tee on the back nine. Overall I made some putts. The greens were perfect,” he said.

Truslow made seven birdies against two bogeys.

Red DeSmith of Yarmouth and Thomas Hixon of Eliot tied for second at 148. Both shot final-round 73s.

Malcolm Oliver of Jefferson was third at 150 with a final- round 72, the second-best round of the day.

Three players tied at 151 — Brad Smith of Brunswick, Sam Grindle of Deer Isle-Stonington and Reese McFarlane of Cape Elizabeth.

Truslow said he was thinking more of a chance to shoot 67 than he was about winning the tournament on the last few holes.

“My mother said she would give me something, maybe some money, if I could do it,” said Truslow. “I knew 5 under would get me to 67. That’s why I gave a fist pump. I really wanted it.”

Truslow leaves for the U.S. Amateur next Wednesday.

“I can’t wait to play some practice rounds. I want to make it to match play,” he said.

“It’s going to be a great experience.”

Flanigan started the last round with a four-shot lead over Hwang, but an eight-shot swing gave Hwang the same cushion heading to the back nine. Flanigan rallied with a back-nine 40, highlighted by a birdie 2 on 11. Hwang shot 45.

Matthew Caron of Nonesuch River won the boys’ 13-14 division with rounds of 80-78. Robbie Watson of the MSGA Juniors was second at 160.

Jonathan Rodenbush of the MSGA Juniors won the 12-and- under division with a 90.

Staff Writer Tom Chard can be contacted at 791-6419 or at:

tchard@pressherald.com

Twitter: TomChardPPH