Calen Sanderson of Newtown, Pennsylvania, set a Sugarloaf Golf Club course and tournament record with a 6-under-par 66. The rising junior made history with seven birdies and has an early six-stroke lead. His last win was at the 2018 Golf Performance Center Junior All-Star and he finished runner-up in Maine in 2019.
In second is Sebastian Moss of Houston, Texas, who shot even-par 72 with six birdies. He has verbally committed to the University of Louisville.
Tied for third at 1-over-par 73 are Zhengfei Han of Bradenton, Florida; Ethan Whitney of Westmister, Massachusetts; and Gavin Clutts of Hazard, Kentucky.
Mary Keene Marrs of Lexington, Kentucky, and Melena Barrientos of Plano, Texas, co-lead the Girls Division at 1-over-par 73. Marrs and Barrientos both have a three-shot lead going into the second round. Marrs is looking for her first AJGA win and attends Lexington Christian Academy. Barrientos last won at the 2020 GreatLIFE Junior Championship presented by Sanford Health and has verbally committed to Clemson University.
Tied for third 4-over-par 76: Bridget Ma of Windermere, Florida; Morgan Smith of Westford, Massachusetts; and Molly Smith of Westford, Massachusetts.