FLORENCE, SC– A bogey-free effort from Max Green (Hilton Head Island) led to the West Virginia commit posting a flawless 6-under par 65 to take a one-shot lead through round one of the Grant Bennett Florence Junior Invitational at Florence Country Club. Green went out in 2-under par 33 on the front nine, then caught fire coming in on the back nine. After making par on his first three holes following the turn, Green then proceeded to birdie four of his next five holes and get to six-under par for the round. Hitting fairways and knocking it close led to the 2021 graduate surging to the first round lead. When asked what his plans for the next two rounds were, Green noted that he “wanted to keep hitting fairways and greens and make sure to stay aggressive with the putter.”
Green will need to stay aggressive with the putter with a host of players within striking distance, the closest of which being Griffin Tarver (Tega Cay) who sits one stroke behind Green at 5-under par. Tarver was red-hot on the front nine, making 4 birdies on his way to a 31. The Tega Cay native’s lone blemish of the day came on the par-4 10th, but he showed resiliency by making two birdies in his last four holes to post 5-under par 66.
In the Boys 13-14 division, Dallas Johnson (Mount Pleasant) made four birdies on his way to a 2-over par 73, which was good enough for him to take a 3-stroke lead into tomorrow’s second round. Owen Atkinson (Columbia) currently holds a 3-stroke lead at 3-over par in the Boys 11-12 age bracket, and Connor Wolfe (Blythewood) leads the Boys 10 & Under division at 4-over par 39. Tomorrow’s second round will begin at 8:00 a.m. on the 10th tee. Following the second round, the Boys 15-18 division will be cut to the top-33 and ties for Friday’s final round. The Boys 13-14 division will be cut to the top-9 and ties. All other age divisions will not have a cut. Follow live coverage of the 69th Grant Bennett Florence Junior Invitational by following the SCJGA on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
