Quintana Roo, Mexico - Brooks Simmons of Dallas, Texas, and JP Odland of Tiburon, California, share the lead of the Mayakoba Invitational at 7-under-par 135 after the second round.
The Mayakoba Invitational is a brand new 54-hole stroke play all-boys invitational in 2023. El Camaleón Golf Course, which has hosted multiple elite professional events, welcomes the AJGA back for the first time since 2010. The field, comprised of 72 boys, gathered in Cancun, Mexico, from around the world. This is the first full-field AJGA invitational to be contested outside the United States.
This years field includes players from 14 countries and 18 states. There is also a strong representation of players from the host country, Mexico, with eight total.
Simmons, who entered the day at 1-under-par 70, went bogey-free on the day. The Texas native birdied Nos. 2, 3, 4, 5 and 8 and made the turn at five-under-par 30. Consistent play on the back nine with a birdie on No. 16 moved the 2025 sophomore into first place at 7-under-par 135 for the tournament. He recorded the low round of the day at 6-under-par 65.
Simmons is currently No. 133 in the Rolex AJGA Rankings and is looking for his fist AJGA win. His best finish in 2022 was solo fourth at the Stealth Junior All-Star presented by TaylorMade.
Odland moved himself out of the first round tie for second with a second round score of 5-under-par 66. The senior started hot with birdies on Nos. 1 and 4. A double-bogey on No. 5 dropped him back to where he began his day. He rebounded with birdies on Nos. 6 and 8 to finish the front nine at 1-under-par 34.
Odland continued his tear on the back nine going bogey-free and knocking in birdies on Nos. 11, 13, 14 and 17 to close out at 5-under-par 66 for the day.
Odland is a signee to Santa Clara University and is currently No. 103 in the Rolex AJGA Rankings. Odland has one AJGA win under his belt and is looking for his first invitational title this weekend.
Billy Davis of Spring Valley, California, and Rex Hargrove of Houston, Texas, are three-strokes off the lead at 4-under-par 138 for the tournament.
Davis recorded a 3-under-par 68 for the day. The Auburn University verbal commit has one AJGA win to his name - the 2022 AJGA Junior at Palouse Ridge. He is currently No. 62 in the Rolex AJGA rankings.
Hargrove also put together a 3-under-par 68 second round. The senior is signed to the University of Arkansas to play golf for the Razorbacks this fall. He is looking for his first AJGA win this weekend.
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About Mayakoba
Nestled in the Mexican Riviera Maya, Mayakoba is a 620-acre resort and residential destination surrounded by the natural beauty of lagoons, jungle, tranquil waters and a sugar sand beach. Four meaningfully placed luxury hotels can be found within Mayakoba - Andaz Mayakoba, Banyan Tree Mayakoba, Fairmont Mayakoba and Rosewood Mayakoba - each with distinct personalities and amenities, perfectly complementing one another, and three collections of private residences, including Rosewood Residences Mayakoba, Fairmont Heritage Place Mayakoba, and The Reserve at Mayakoba.
Within the coveted destination are a wealth of lifestyle experiences including four acclaimed spas, more than 25 restaurants with eclectic cuisines and a village square that serves as an event space modeled after the historic colonial plazas in Mexico. In addition, guests have access to a three-mile-long nature trail and spectacular 18-hole golf course designed by renowned architect and PGA TOUR legend Greg Norman, which is home to the World Wide Technology Championship at Mayakoba, first PGA TOUR tournament in Mexico.
About El Camaleón
Designed by legendary Australian golfer Greg Norman, El Camaleón at Mayakoba was inaugurated in 2006. Like the chameleon, from which it takes its name, the course offers constantly changing views as it winds through three diverse ecosystems: the tropical Mayan jungle, mangrove wetlands and the Mexican Caribbean Sea coastline. Distinctive hazards such as cenotes (sink holes), extensive bunkers and crystal-clear fresh water canals are unique features of El Camaleón, certified by Audubon International for its commitment to the environment.
El Camaleón is also home of the only Jim McLean Golf School in Mexico and one of the top Golf Schools in America. The finest technology featuring Trackman, JC Video Analysis and other golf technology, allow instructors not just to learn, but to improve your game as much as you want. Also, its restaurant Koba Casa Club will give you the final touch to an unforgettable day of golf with spectacular views of the finishing hole, and fine dining based on fresh, local and high-quality products.