The No. 2 player in the Girls' Rolex AJGA Rankings, Xin (Cindy) Kou of (China) Valencia, California, shot a 7-under-par 65 to grab a three stroke lead after the first 18 holes. Kou was able to rattle off three straight birdies to start her back nine en route to a 5-under-par 31. Kou kept a clean scorecard all day, going bogey-free on the round.
Mallorie Luitwieler of Katy, Texas, is one of the competitors chasing Kou. Luitwieler managed a 4-under-par 68 highlighted by six birdies to tie for second. Joining Luitwieler at 4-under-par is Karen Tsuru of Carlsbad, California. Tsuru closed with five consecutive birdies on holes 14-18 to position herself three back from the lead.
In the Boy's Division, it is Mason Snyder of Las Vegas, Nevada, leading the group. The class of 2023 member recorded six birdies and an eagle on the par-5 No. 14 on his way to an 8-under-par 64.
Following Snyder is Baron Szeto of Moraga, California. Szeto opened his round with a bogey before rebounding with nine total birdies, including seven in an eight hole stretch. Kyreece Romero of San Jose, California, Kristoffer Kuvaas of (Norway) Houston, Texas, Leo Torres of Las Vegas, Nevada, and Ian Fritz, Las Vegas, Nevada, are tied for third at 5-under-par 67.