Quintana Roo, Mexico - Talan Harrison of Kannapolis, North Carolina, leads the first Mayakoba Invitational hosted at El Camaleón Golf Course. The 2025 graduate finished day one at 4-under-par 67, two strokes clear of the field.
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, will gather 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.
Harrison, who started his day on No. 10, had a up and down start to his day. He opened with bogeys on Nos. 10 and 11 before a birdie run on holes 14 through 16. A bogey on No. 17 had him making the turn at even-par 36.
The sophomore in high school turned to his back nine where he recorded a bogey-free card. Birdies on Nos. 2, 3, 5 and 9 moved him into the solo lead - two strokes ahead of the field.
Harrison is currently ranked No. 141 in the Rolex AJGA Rankings and is looking for his first invitational win. He won the Harold Varner III Foundation Junior All-Star in his home state last year for his first AJGA win.
Four share a hold of second place, two strokes off the lead. Hogan Park of Eastvale, California, JP Odland of Tiburon, California, Carson Bertagnole of Pinehurst, North Carolina, and Matt Moloney of Daniel Island, South Carolina, are currently at 2-under-par 69. Odland, Park, Bertagnole, and Moloney are each looking for their first AJGA Invitational win.
Park in his pursuit of a 2-under-par 69 recorded a bogey-free front nine. He recorded birdies on hole Nos. 2 and 9 before making the turn. On the back nine an opening double bogey on 10 and another on 12 set the current senior back. He bounced back with a birdie run on Nos. 14 through 16. Park is attending the University of Nevada - Las Vegas this fall and is currently No. 129 in the Rolex AJGA Rankings.
Odland opened his day with pars until No. 9 where a bogey set him back one as he made the turn. The senior recorded a bogey-free back nine which included birdies on Nos. 13, 14 and 16. Odland is attending Santa Clara University this fall and is currently No. 103 in the Rolex AJGA Rankings.
Bertagnole, the youngest of those tied for second, had a up and down round which included four birdies and two bogeys. Bertagnole is currently ranked No. 50 in the Rolex AJGA Rankings.
Moloney put together a day that included three birdies and one bogey for his 2-under. A bogey-free back nine with two birdies pushed him into a tie for second. The Rolex Junior All-American is a verbal commit to the University of Georgia and is currently No. 54 in the Rolex AJGA Rankings.
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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.