Daffodil Sanchez: The 13-year-old from Mesa took a huge step over the weekend when she captured the IJGT Fitness for Golf/Kierland Classic, defeating several more well-known 18-year-olds in the process.

Sanchez, who posted rounds of 3-under-par 69 and 74 to win by one shot over Mary Kate Bird of Kansas City , Mo. , was the only player to finish in red numbers at 1-under-par 143.

“I’m so happy, because this was the first time that I won the overall (19-and-under division) in a IJGT event,’’ reported Sanchez of the International Junior Golf Tour, which is just below the American Junior Golf Association but still plays on a national/international level.

Sanchez’s 69 was good enough to lead by three shots after the opening round of the tournament held at Kierland Golf Club in Scottsdale. But she needed a major rally in Round 2 after falling six shots back of Bird with seven holes to play.

“The first day I did everything right, my driver, my putter – everything was great!’’ Sanchez said. “And (the second round), I just did what I had to do to win against some great competition.’’

That included birdies at the 12 th and 13 th holes, as well as draining the winning par putt from eight feet away on the final hole. Not a bad comeback after taking penalties for an unplayable lie and a ball out of bounds on the front nine.

“It was a very big win for me, and it also gets me an exemption into an AJGA event,’’ Sanchez noted. But asked how many victories she now has on her resume, Daffodil was a little unsure.

“I think this is my 75 th, but to tell you the truth, I can’t remember for sure,’’ she said. “Let’s just say at least 70, and I’ll just have to count the trophies again.’’

More are on the way for Sanchez, who is planning a big summer schedule after posting solid finishes this past year in such prestigious events as the Arizona Silver Belle (38 th overall), PING Junior Player Series (first) and the LPGA Safeway International Amateur Open (fourth place).

“I’ll be 14 in August,’’ said Sanchez, who attends school via an Internet-based program through the Mesa Public Schools Department. “And I guess that means I’ll be a teen-ager.’’

Look out, golf world. Daffodil is coming!

ON TOUR

It’s a ‘hit’: The Masters’ website – www.masters.org – saw a huge increase this year, primarily due to its “Masters Extra’’ and “Live at Amen Corner’’ video features. According to the numbers, 106 million “page views,’’ or “hits,’’ were recorded, which is up 35 percent from a year ago.

Those who watched Masters Extra on Sunday, which was an hour of additional coverage, saw Phil Mickelson make triple-bogey 7 on the first hole, as well as champ Zach Johnson open with a bogey before making birdie-birdie.

TV numbers: The internet wasn’t the only winner at the Masters, as TV numbers jumped to 41.4 million viewers. That is the largest viewing audience since 2001, when 47.9 million viewers watched Tiger Woods win the Masters – his fourth straight major.

New tournament: The PGA Tour announced this week that Puerto Rico will host a tournament in 2008. The Puerto Rican Open will run opposite the WGC-CA Championship at Doral on May 17-20. The purse will be worth $3.5 million.

NOTEWORTHY

Heather Farr recap: Richard Lee of Chandler went wire-to-wire to win the ReBath Heather Farr Classic last weekend at Longbow Golf Club in Chandler . Kimberly Kim of Queen Creek, the reigning U.S. Women’s Amateur champion rallied to capture the girls’ title over Taylore Karle of Scottsdale .

Cameron Edens of Ahwatukee tied for eighth, while Mesa ’s Kristen Schelling and Scottsdale ’s Ashley McKenney tied for 17 th.

Your day: The Southwest Section of the PGA will host “Play Golf America Day’’ on May 19 at the Mesa Golf Center . The clinics, contests and give-aways will go from 9 a.m. until 12 p.m. , and are free for golfers of all abilities. For information, call (480) 443-9002 or visit www.southwestsection.com.