Grant Doggett of Beach City, Texas, played some of his best golf in the first round of the UHY Kansas City Junior. His 4-under-par 68 round featured five birdies, including two on holes 17 and 18. Doggett, a 2023 grad, is looking to build on the momentum from his best-ever AJGA finish, T12 at the 2021 AJGA Huntsville Junior.
In second place at 3-under-par 69 is David Martinez of Houston, Texas. A trio of juniors sit in third place at 1-under-par 71, Stephen Liu of (New Zealand) Auckland, New Zealand, Langting Tymon Sun of (China) Windermere, Florida, and David Gutierrez of Santiago, Mexico.
Emma Welch of Lakeville, Minnesota, leads the Girls Division at 2-under-par 70. She birdied six holes in total. Welch, who finished T3 at this event in 2019, has signed a National Letter of Intent with Xavier University.
In second place are two girls tied at 1-over-par 73, McKenzie Mages of Marietta, Georgia, and Katie Ruge of Omaha, Nebrasksa.