Kathy Whitworth tourney unveils next wave of top junior girl golfers

Names like Paula Creamer, Christina Kim and Jessica Korda cut their junior golf teeth in The Kathy Whitworth Invitational at Mira Vista Country Club.

Over the next two days, 72 of the world’s best junior golfers return to Fort Worth for the 18th tournament and a potential sneak peek at the next crop of all-world women professionals.

The Whitworth tournament has been a chance for players to showcase their game with heavy attendance from college coaches.

In 2013, champion Hannah Wood went from virtual unknown to a scholarship at Oklahoma.

Last year’s champ, Rinko Mitsunaga, is a freshman at Georgia, and 2012 champion Shannon Aubert is a sophomore at Stanford.

Like her sister, 2014 champion Nelly Korda decided against the college route and turned professional last month.

She finished tied for 18th in her professional debut at the Symetra Tour’s IOA Championships.

Austin Lake Travis’ Kristen Gillman heads this year’s field.

Gillman has made two starts already on the LPGA Tour, including the 2014 Evian Championship in France.

She has signed to play golf at Alabama and is eighth in the Golfweek Girls Junior rankings.

Dallas’ Hailey Jones, committed to play golf at Mississippi, is the highest-ranked area player at 71st.

This story was originally published March 13, 2016 at 4:11 PM with the headline "Kathy Whitworth tourney unveils next wave of top junior girl golfers."