PLAYA DEL CARMEN, QR, Mexico - Henry Guan of Dallas, Texas, is in front after the first round of the 2024 Mayakoba Invitational hosted by Abraham Ancer. Guan leads by two shots after carding a 3-under round of 68 to begin his weekend.
This 72-player field showcases golfers from nine different countries, including eight Mexican natives. Among these talented players, 29 have committed verbally or through a National Letter of Intent to play collegiate golf. Additionally, the field consists of 10 Rolex Junior All-Americans and 40 past AJGA Champions, emphasizing the high levels of talent at this event.
Currently ranked No. 8 in the Rolex AJGA Rankings, Guan is poised for his second Invitational victory, having previously claimed the title at the 2022 Wyndham Invitational presented by Truist. The 15-year-old golfer made a strong start, shooting a 3-under front nine. He followed this up with an even-par back nine, which included three birdies.
To begin his round, the 2026 graduate made three consecutive pars before carding back-to-back birdies on Nos. 4 and 5. Guan secured his third birdie of the day on the seventh hole, concluding the front nine with an impressive 33 (-3).
He continued to go low as he knocked in another pair of birdies on Nos. 10 and 11. Guan's first dropped shot came on the 13th hole where he made bogey on the difficult par-five. Despite a double bogey on the 16th, the two-time Rolex Junior All-American recovered with a birdie on the 17th hole.
Rounding out the top five are four players tied for second place. Parker Sands, of Edmond Oklahoma, Preston Albee, of Choctaw, Oklahoma, Asher Vargas of Spring, Texas, and Coltrane Mittag of Ashland, Nebraska all carded 1-under-par rounds and sit two shots out of first place.
Sands finished his first 18 holes with back-to-back scores of 35, resulting in a four-way tie for second place. The University of Florida commit carded a total of four birdies during the day, with his final one on the challenging 17th hole.
Albee made a bogey on his third hole of the day but recovered quickly with two birdies on Nos. 4 and 5. He then added another birdie on the seventh hole and closed out his round with another birdie on the 16th, bouncing back from bogeys on Holes 12 and 14.
Vargas started with a birdie on the second hole but was quiet until he made a double on the ninth. The 16-year-old fought back and made an eagle on the par five No. 13 and finished his day with a birdie on the 17th hole.
Mittag had a steady day, recording three birdies and two bogeys. He carded a back-nine 34 to close out his round. Currently ranked No. 41 in the Rolex AJGA Rankings, Mittag is looking to claim his first AJGA victory.
A look at the first round standings at the #MayakobaInv. pic.twitter.com/hldxzfUlZF
— AJGA (@AJGAGolf) May 11, 2024
About Mayakoba
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 a spectacular 18-hole golf course.
About El Camaleón
Designed by 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 (sinkholes), extensive bunkers and crystal-clear freshwater canals are unique features of El Camaleón, certified by Audubon International for its commitment to the environment.
El Camaleón is also home to 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, allows 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.
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