Around the Green

Coody, Smith Lead Byron Nelson Junior after Round One

DALLAS – Pierceson Coody and Jansen Smith each shot 5-under-par 66 on Tuesday to share the lead after the opening round of the Byron Nelson Junior Championship at Lakewood Country Club.
 
(Click here for scores)
 
Both players had to wait a little extra to tee off due to a weather delay that was called at 8:30 a.m.  After play resumed at 9:45 a.m., Coody birdied his first hole and went on to make four more, finishing with a bogey-free round. The University of Texas commit said the key to his round was hitting his approach shots close even when his tee shots were failing him. 
 
“It was stress-free, but it could’ve been better,” said Coody, who had four tap-in birdies in his opening round. 
 
Smith started hot with five birdies on his front nine. He played steady on his final nine, making five birdies to one bogey, including four straight on holes 15-18. The future Texas Tech Red Raider said when he missed a shot it was in the right spot, which led to minimal damage throughout his round.
 
“I’ve made the cut the past two years, but I came this year and I was like ‘I’m finally going to tear it up!’” Smith said. 
 
Brandon Hoff is one shot off the lead after his bogey-free 67. Nine other players are close behind after under-par rounds in Tuesday’s first round. 
 
The Byron Nelson Junior Championship is being played at Lakewood Country Club for the 11^thtime in the last 13 years. The course was designed by Scotsman Tom Bendlow in 1912 and was Dallas’ second 18-hole course. The layout was redesigned in 1947 by Texas native, Ralph Plummer. The team of Ben Crenshaw and Bill Coore completed a few more adjustments from 1995-2014 and was the memorable host venue for last summer’s 108th Texas Amateur Championship. 
 
The second round of the Byron Nelson Junior Championship begins Wednesday at 8 a.m. For more information, click here.