Sam Straka always has competition.

One day he comes out on top. Some days his twin brother Sepp gets the upper hand.

“We’re about equally challenged,” Sam said. “It’s great having a twin for golf. Things are always competitive, and you always have somebody to practice with or play with.”

Sam is getting the best of his brother and the rest of the boys’ field at the Ringgold Telephone Company Junior Classic at WindStone Golf Club.

The Valdosta, Ga., resident shot a 1-over-par 71 on Wednesday but is 5 under for the tournament and holds a two-shot lead over James Monnerville of Vero Beach, Fla.

Kelby Burton of Evans, Ga.; Zach Estep of Lawrencville, Ga.; and Jordan Jennings of Jefferson City, Tenn., are tied for third at 2-under 138. Chattanoogan Keith Mitchell is tied for sixth after shooting 71 on Tuesday and 68 on Wednesday.

“I’m looking forward to tomorrow because I still have the upper hand,” Sam Straka said. “The others are playing catch-up with me. Plus, my game is pretty good right now.”

It’s better than his twin’s performance so far this week. Sepp is 5 over after two days.

“You don’t want to lose to your brother so you concentrate even more,” Sepp said. “My only advice to him is, ‘Don’t choke.’”

Sam stumbled during his finish on Wednesday. He finished with a bogey on No. 17 and a double-bogey on No. 18.

“The whole day was pretty steady, but the last two holes got me,” said Straka, who is playing in his fourth AJGA event. “I’m happy with the way I played these two days. But I’m nervous about tomorrow. It’s my first AJGA lead.”

Isabelle Lendl of Bradenton, Fla., and Mariah Stackhouse of Riverdale, Ga., are tied for the lead in the girls’ division at 1-over 141. Stackhouse, the first-round leader, shot 3 over par Wednesday.

“Everything depends on my putting,” she said. “If I putt well, I play well. I want to be a little more aggressive, but not too aggressive.”

Lendl shot 70 on Wednesday.

“I’ve been in this position before, and you practice to be in the lead,” said the daughter of tennis great Ivan Lendl. “I can’t control others’ game, so I’ll do what I’ve been doing all week.”

Monnerville will be in the final-round group today with Sam Straka. All groups will tee off at 8:30 a.m. in a shotgun start due to expected bad weather.

“I’ve been in this position a few times, and I need to play well and sink some putts,” Monnerville said. “If I shoot 2 or 3 under, I think I’ll have a good chance.”

Mitchell likes his chances as well. He improved by three shots in the second round and would be tied for the lead if not for the four penalty strokes he’s suffered.

“Playing steady always seems to work,” Mitchell said. “You can shoot 61 or 81 the way it’s set up with the fast greens.”