Harper grabs lead on Moving Day at 27th Huntington Bank Byron Nelson Junior Championship
Brooks Harper of Dallas made the most of moving day Wednesday, posting a second-round 69 to reach 9-under par 135 and take sole possession of the lead at the 27th Huntington Bank Byron Nelson Junior Championship.
The Dallas native and University of Texas commit backed up his opening 66 with a steady, controlled round to hold a one-stroke advantage heading into Thursday’s final round at Trinity Forest Golf Club.
Harper got off to a fast start, picking up a birdie and an eagle through his first five holes to quickly separate himself from the field. A bogey on No. 6 slowed his momentum briefly, but he answered with a birdie on No. 15 to close at 3-under and walk off with the outright lead. It was the kind of round that showed why Harper entered the week as one of the players to watch.
Should Harper bring home the title Thursday, he would join a notable group of future Texas Longhorns who have won the championship, including Jordan Spieth, Pierceson Coody, Cody Gribble and Brooks Simmons. It would be a meaningful addition to a champions list that carries real weight in junior golf.
One shot back at 8-under 136 is Austin Randall of Prosper, who has been one of the most consistent players in the field all week. The LSU commit carded back-to-back 68s, never putting himself out of position and never giving the field an opening. Randall is looking to claim his first Legends Junior Tour major title before heading to Baton Rouge, and he will have every opportunity to do so Thursday.
Mackey Beckett, one of three co-leaders after the opening round, remained squarely in contention at 7-under 137 following a second-round 71. The University of Michigan commit brings solid credentials into the final round, including match play experience at the 77th U.S. Junior Amateur on this same course. Beckett has shown all week that he knows how to handle himself in a competitive environment.
Connor Bryce of Dallas and University of North Texas Commit made a big move Wednesday, shooting the low round of the day — a 67 — to climb 19 spots and join Texas Tech commit Aadi Parmar of Selma in a tie for fourth at 6-under 138. Bryce’s round was the kind of performance that can change the complexion of a tournament, and he will carry plenty of momentum into Thursday’s final 18.
The leaderboard gets crowded from there. Eight players share sixth place at 5-under 139, setting up what could be a chaotic and compelling final round: Carlos Pedraza of Mexico, JP Lynch of Austin, Declan Dent of Grapevine, Cole Pregler of Fulshear, Preston Mohon of Southlake, Tripp Depoy of The Woodlands, Tyson Embry of Highland Village and Brayden Verret of Farmers Branch. Mohon was among the first-round co-leaders and will look to recapture that early form. Verret, a Class of 2029 standout who opened with a 67, remains one of the more intriguing names in the draw heading into Thursday.
With eight players within four shots of the lead and a packed leaderboard from top to bottom, Thursday’s final round at Trinity Forest Golf Club for another compelling finish that makes the Huntington Bank Byron Nelson Junior Championship special.
The official yardage of Round 2 was 6,947 yards with No.9 playing as the hardest hole. The Par 4 saw 3 three birdies, 44 pars, 36 bogeys, and 4 double bogeys.
At the conclusion of Round 2, cut was made to 33 players to advance and play for the championship tomorrow.
Round 3 of the 27th Huntington Bank Byron Nelson Junior Championship tees off Thursday at 8:00 a.m. off No.1
To view results from Round 2, click here. To learn more about the 27th Huntington Bank Byron Nelson Junior Championship, click here.