Lilly DeNunzio of Henderson, Nevada, is the Girls Division leader by one stroke after shooting 4-under-par 68 in the first round. The 2023 graduate had seven birdies in the round, including four birdies through Nos. 2- 6. DeNunzio's top finish of the 2021 season came at the Coca-Cola Junior Championship at Boyne Highlands where she placed third. She will be seeking her first career AJGA victory.
Grace Kilcrease of Springdale, Arkansas, and Ellie Bushnell of Granite Bay, California, are tied for second place after shooting 3-under-par 69. Kilcrease and Bushnell combined for seven birdies in the round. Bushnell, a 2023 graduate will be on the hunt for her first career AJGA victory. Kilcrease is looking to add another AJGA victory during her 2021 season after winning the Bass Pro Shops / Payne Stewart Junior Championship this past July.
Jake Maggert of The Woodlands, Texas, and Grant Roscich of Glen Ellyn, Illinois, are tied for the Boys Division lead after shooting 4-under-par 68 in the round. Maggert, a 2023 graduate, ended his round with seven birdies and did not record a bogey on the back nine. Roscich, a 2024 graduate, ended his first round with four birdies and captured an eagle on No. 8. Both players will be seeking their first career AJGA victory this week.
Henry Guan of Irving, Texas, and Maxwell Tjoa of Cedar Falls, Iowa, are tied for third place in the Boys Division after shooting 2-under-par 70 in the round. The two players combined for five birdies in the round. Guan and Tjoa are both seeking their first career AJGA victories.
Will King of Olathe, Kansas, Parker Sands of Edmond, Oklahoma, Ryan Lee of Overland Park, Kansas, and Easton Denney of Cabot, Arkansas, are all tied for fifth place after shooting 1-under-par 71. The four players combined for 17 birdies and an eagle in the first round.