GREENSBORO, N.C. -- Luke Coyle of Campbellsville, Kentucky, and William Jennings of Greenville, South Carolina, opened the 20th Wyndham Invitational presented by Truist at 3-under-par 67. Both Coyle and Jennings had consecutive birdies on the back nine that helped them secure their one-stroke lead.
Twelve members of the 72 player field finished at par or better after one round of competition. Players from 21 states and six countries include 35 previous AJGA champions, four of the top ten players in the Rolex AJGA rankings, and 41 players committed to play college golf.
This is the 13th time that the historic Sedgefield Country Club has hosted the Wyndham Invitational presented by Truist, although it has sported different names in years prior.
I said if I could shoot even or somehow shoot one under on the back nine it would be a great round. I was able to do that so I couldn't be more pleased with the round.
Coyle carded six birdies throughout the first round, including two pairs of consecutive birdies on Nos. 2 and 3 and Nos. 12 and 13. The rising high school junior and two-time AJGA champion finished tied for seventh at the U.S. Junior Qualifier last Monday. Coyle is currently ranked No. 50 in the Rolex AJGA Rankings and earned Rolex Junior All-American honors last season.
Jennings notched three birdies on the front nine, including back-to-back birdies on Nos. 8 and 9, as well as consecutive birdies on Nos. 15 and 16. Jennings saw success when he won a two-hole playoff to capture the 2020 Carolinas Junior Boys’ Championship last July. The rising high school sophomore is looking for his first AJGA career win.
One stroke off of the lead and tied for third at 2-under par 68 are Sihan Sandhu of Pinehurst, North Carolina, Eric Lee of Fullerton, California, and Jean-Philippe Parr of St. Celestin, Quebec, Canada.
I stuck to my game plan today. I really tried to keep it in the fairway and go where I knew I could make putts. I'm excited for tomorrow.
Sandhu, a member of the 2020 AJGA Junior All-Star team, most recently finished tied for fifth at the Team TaylorMade Invitational at the end of May. He has earned three top-ten finishes during the 2021 season so far.
Lee, a rising high school junior, won the 2020 SCPGA - Toyota Tour Cup at Carlton Woods last October. Parr has five national junior golf wins including his 2019 win at the AJGA Junior at Southpointe presented by DICK's Sporting Goods.
The second round continues tomorrow with tee times 7:30 - 11:43 a.m. off No. 1 tee.
About Wyndham Rewards:
Named the number one hotel rewards program by readers of USA TODAY, Wyndham Rewards® is the world’s most generous rewards program with more than 50,000 hotels, vacation club resorts and vacation rentals worldwide. Designed for the everyday traveler, members earn a guaranteed 1,000 points with every qualified stay and may redeem points for a wide range of rewards, including free nights at over 8,900 hotels or thousands of vacation club resorts and vacation rentals globally through affiliation with Wyndham Destinations and others. Wyndham Rewards has 87 million enrolled members around the globe. Join for free today at www.wyndhamrewards.com
. You’ve earned this.