Palm Valley — The 38th annual South Texas Junior Golf Classic presented by Gillman Auto teed off early Saturday morning at Harlingen Country Club.
Defending champion Santiago Garcia of Brownsville checked in a solid first day and was the first-round leader as he shot a 72.
Garcia birdied his final hole of the day thanks to an impressive 35-foot putt. The final putt gave Garcia confidence heading into day two.
“I struggled a bit, but I turned it around,” Garcia said. “I have the lead so I can’t complain. I had a few bad shots, but I grinded through it and I felt I turned in a solid day.”
Garcia went a stretch of 13 holes without a birdie, something that he’s not used to.
“I was getting a little frustrated because I hadn’t had a birdie,” said Garcia. “I kept calm and stayed focus on each hole, and I finished strong and now I can look forward to tomorrow. I’m hoping to finish on top and it will also be my final day in this tournament.”
After day one, the top three in the boys 15- to 18-year-old division is a tight race. Right behind Garcia is La Feria’s Andy Cortez, who shot a 73. Meanwhile, recent Lyford High School graduate Brandon Garza sits two shots back with a 74 along with Alex Hernandez of Victoria.
Ethan Galvan of Edinburg shot a 76 to finish the day tied for fourth along with Paul Young IV of Laredo. Rounding out the top five is Peyton Vos of Weslaco, who fired a first-round 77, along with Nate Newman of Harlingen.
“I started strong, and started the day with a few solid birdies,” Cortez said. “I finished the front strong; I approached it shot by shot and I didn’t worry too much about scores or who else was out there, I just focused on my game. I felt comfortable today; it was what I expected it to be. As for tomorrow, I’ll continue to play my game and make my putts and stay focused.”
Garza, who is in his second year of competing in the event, is in a good position heading into the final day.
“I hit the ball well. I missed some putts and I felt I could have done better, but it was a good day,” he said. “I managed to finish in the top three. I’m familiar with the course as I have played here before and being able to play with some of the best (golfers) is a lot of fun. I felt I kept the ball in play and hit my spots, and I stuck with my game plan.”
In the girls 15-to 18-year old division, Mia Lerma of Mission took the first-round lead with an 81. Hanna Bullard of New Braunfels shot an 85 to finish in second while Fahtima Avila of Brownsville and Micaela Leandro of Harlingen shot an even 86 to finish tied for third. Madison Ozuna of Cedar Park rounded out the top five by firing an 87.
Day 1 leaderboard
Boys
-Santiago Garcia — 72
-Andy Cortez — 73
-Brandon Garza — 74
-Alex Hernandez — 74
-Paul Young IV — 76
-Ethan Galvan — 76
-Peyton Vos — 77
-Nate Newman — 77
Girls
-Mia Lerma — 81
-Hanna Bullard — 85
-Micaela Leandro — 86
-Fahtima Avila — 86
-Madison Ozuna — 87
