Louie leads after Round One at the 98th Texas Junior Amateur Girls 15-18 Division
BOURNE – Jamison Louie of Sugar Land leads after the first round of the 98th Texas Junior Amateur Girls 15-18 Division, carding a 5-under 67. Louie recorded the only bogey-free round of the day, positioning herself well for moving day.
“I felt very controlled about my game today,” said Louie. “A lot of putts fell, and it felt really good, especially on the greens.”
Louie, who began her round on No. 10, demonstrated consistent play throughout. Her front nine included two birdies, while her back nine featured three more, giving her a three-stroke lead after the first round.
“I didn’t play too aggressively today,” Louie said. “I just went out there and played safe.”
Trailing Louie is Faith Tufono of San Antonio, who shot a 3-under 69 to secure solo second. Tufono, a high school senior, won the STPGA Tapatio Springs Summer Showdown in June, giving her confidence on a course she’s already conquered.
“On the front nine today, we got a little bit of rain, but my tee shots were good, and my putting was dialed in,” Tufono said. “My chipping was solid, and I didn’t have too many chips to make today.”
Starting on No. 10, Tufono carded three birdies and a bogey on her front nine before playing bogey-free golf on the back nine.
“I’m just going to play my game,” Tufono said. “It worked today, and that’s the game plan I’ll stick to for this tournament.”
Madeline Buckley of Magnolia sits in solo third, keeping herself in contention heading into the second round. Buckley displayed resilience throughout her round. Starting on No. 1, she was 1-under through three holes before birdieing No. 8 and No. 11. A bogey on No. 12 was her only setback. As one of the younger competitors in the field, Buckley aims to make her presence felt among older players.
Sophomore, Destiny McNeil is in fourth place after shooting a 1-under 71. McNeil battled through her round, carding a 37 on her front nine before going 1-under on the back nine.
Rounding out the top five are Alicia Bellendir of Coppell, Avery Zweig of McKinney, Gia Ahlowalia of Southlake, and Grace Heiss of Dallas, all finishing at even-par 72.
The course for the first round measured 5,874 yards, with No. 13 playing as the toughest hole, averaging a score of 5.75.
This year’s Texas Junior Amateur is an official USGA exemption event. The champion will earn a spot in the 76th U.S. Girls’ Junior Amateur at Atlanta Athletic Club.
Participants in the 98th Texas Junior Amateur Girls 15-18 Division are members of the Texas Junior Golf Alliance, a partnership between the Texas Golf Association and the Southern and Northern Texas PGA Sections. The alliance provides junior golfers with top-tier competition across the state and a pathway for growth throughout their golfing careers.
Following the completion of the second round, the field will be cut to the lowest 30 players and ties, who will compete for the title of 98th Texas Junior Amateur Girls Division Champion.
Round 2 will commence Sunday moring off No.1 and No.10 at 8 a.m. To view results from Round One and view pairings for Round Two, click here. To learn more about the 98th Texas Junior Amateur Girls 15-18 Division, click here.