Hampton Beebe Shines in First Round of Junior Invitational

News Summary

Hampton Beebe from West Palm Beach dazzled spectators during the first round of the Junior Invitational at TPC Myrtle Beach, finishing with a score of 3-under 69. He started strong with four birdies in the first five holes and looks forward to the upcoming second round. Other notable performances included Benjamin Baker, who matched Beebe’s score, and Kayla Bryant, who demonstrated resilience despite some bogeys. With exciting talents in the mix, the competition promises to be thrilling moving into round two.

Hampton Beebe Shines in Round One of Junior Invitational, Set for Round Two Showdown

In the picturesque landscape of TPC Myrtle Beach, young golf prodigy Hampton Beebe from West Palm Beach, Florida, recently stole the spotlight during the first round of the Junior Invitational. After recently clinching victory at the AJGA Discover Puerto Rico Junior Championship, all eyes were on him, and boy, did he deliver!

This talented teen truly started the day with a bang! Beebe made an impressive four birdies within the first five holes, igniting excitement among fans and competitors alike. He wrapped up the round with a stellar score of 3-under 69, leaving him buzzing with positivity as he heads into the next round. His final birdie on the 18th hole was nothing short of thrilling and has set him up beautifully for his battle in Round Two.

But Beebe wasn’t the only golfer lighting up the course. Benjamin Baker from Broadlands, Virginia, currently ranked #23 in AJGA Rolex Rankings, matched Beebe’s score with an equally impressive 3-under 69. What makes Baker’s performance particularly notable is that he accomplished this with a rather unusual scorecard—he only recorded seven pars! As Baker himself acknowledged, the blustery winds on the back nine certainly didn’t assist in easing the pathway to a lower score, and he intends to address some small errors before stepping back out onto the green.

From the home turf, Kayla Bryant from Boca Raton, Florida, showcased her skills with a more mixed round, carding six birdies but also grappling with four bogeys. She notably made birdies on the 8th and 9th holes, proving that even a few hiccups here and there can’t derail a player’s determination when they know the course well. Having played this course the previous year, she’s certainly familiar with its quirks.

In other highlights, Rudisill from Charlotte, North Carolina, managed a steady performance with four birdies and two bogeys, showcasing consistency in his game. Hot on their heels is Amelie Zalsman from St. Petersburg, Florida, sitting just two strokes back at even par. Zalsman, who also participated in the 2024 tournament edition, has proven to be a fierce competitor this time around.

Then there’s Edan Cui from Atherton, California, trailing just two strokes behind the leaders as well. Cui recently finished third at the AmateurGolf.com Silicon Valley Amateur, and it’s clear that his momentum is carrying forward. Rounding out the pack of contenders are tournament favorites Will Hartman and Tyler Watts, who are also positioned just two strokes back.

Looking ahead, Round Two is set to kick off tomorrow at 9:00 AM ET from both holes 1 and 10. Among the notable tee times, fans will be keenly interested in watching Charlie Woods, who struggled somewhat through the first round with a score of +10 (82) but is ready to take on the challenge starting at 11:10 AM ET from the 10th tee. Meanwhile, Kai Trump, with a score of +12 (84), will start his journey at 9:00 AM off hole #1, looking to turn around his fortunes.

Last year’s competition saw the boys’ and girls’ divisions championed by Ethan Paschal and Vanessa Borovilos, respectively, both of whom have since moved on to the collegiate golf circuit, with Paschal representing the University of North Carolina and Borovilos at Texas A&M. With the rise of these talented youngsters, some say we might just be witnessing the birth of future golf stars!

As spectators gathered in strong numbers to cheer on these rising talents, it’s clear that the excitement surrounding junior golf continues to grow. With the stage set for a thrilling second round, fans can’t wait to see how this competition unfolds!