Making the field for a national USGA Junior Championship is a goal for every serious junior golfer and the Carolinas have sent some of its best players to compete with those from around the country and the world.

Of the golfers with South Carolina connections Sage Bradshaw, the winner of the SCJGA Beth Daniel Junior Azalea produced the best score from Palmetto State golfers.

Bradshaw, from Bluffton, shot a 1-under par 69 at Brook Hollow, the tournaments second course, and is in 20th place after the opening round.

His first nine was the back nine and he carded four bogeys and a birdie before getting things going on his back nine with a streak of three straight birdies and a 31.

Clemson recruit Jackson Byrd shot an even par round of 71 at the Trinity Forest course and is in a tie with several golfers in 28th place.

The two South Carolina Junior champions in the field struggled in the first round.

Dawson Szabo, the SCGA Junior champion, shot 5-over at Brook Hollow and is in a tie with 24 golfers for 143.

Carolinas Boys champion Olin Kinnunen posted a 7-over par 78 and will have some work to do to extend his week in Texas.

After stroke play is completed the field is cut to the top 64 players for the Match Play championship.

First round USGA Junior Scores https://championships.usga.org/usjunioramateur/2025/scoring.html