Around the Green

Niblett, McMyler Share Lead at Texas Girls' Invitational

Sugar Land, TEXAS – Makenzie Niblett of Austin and Emma McMyler of San Antonio sit atop the leaderboard at the ninth annual Texas Girl’s Invitational after Saturday's first round. Each carded a 3-under par 69 at rain-soaked Sugar Creek Country Club.

Following Friday afternoon’s practice rounds and into Saturday morning, Sugar Creek Country Club received a significant amount of rain. Much of the greater Houston area has received rain throughout most of September. Sugar Creek CC was no different, and with early morning rain and lightning, tournament officials delayed starting times by one hour and 30 minutes.

Once play started at 9:30 am, the course was wet and played longer than the 5,848 yard layout due to virtually no roll on most shots. That didn’t change Niblett’s outlook on her round though.

“I just delayed my warmup and chilled for a little bit,” Niblett said prior to her first round. “I am ready to go play and this won’t change my plan much.”

“My game is pure right now. I don’t have any weaknesses and I’m looking forward to try and defend this weekend.”

Niblett, Junior Golf Scoreboard’s 69^th ranked junior golfer, is off to a solid start trying to be the first two-time champion of the Texas Girls’ Invitational. After a bogey at the difficult opening hole, a 513-yard par-5, she settled in and carded eight straight pars to go out in 1-over 37. She caught fire on her back nine though, making birdies at holes 10, 12, 14, 16 and 17.

“My putter was really good today. I made quite a few putts on that back nine and look forward to getting some rest and getting back out there tomorrow.”

Playing four groups behind Niblett, McMyler was quietly having her own stellar round. A recent winner of two STPGA Prestige Tour events, MyMyler came in hot, and is looking to continue her momentum at one of the largest and strongest girls-only events in Texas.

“I am coming off two wins, and am very confident right now,” McMyler said.

Like Niblett, McMyler started off with a bogey on the opening hole. Her round included five birdies, and one other bogey on the par-5 12^th hole.

“I hit my irons really well today. I hit 15 or 16 greens today and made a couple putts to save par and made a few putts coming in for birdie.

“Everybody else is playing the same course as me, so the weather didn’t really have a major impact on my round. Tomorrow, I need to stick to what I did well today, hitting greens and giving myself looks at birdie.”

While Niblett looks to win back-to-back Texas Girls’ Invitationals, McMyler will look to capture her first Legends Junior Tour victory Sunday afternoon.

The duo sit at the top of the leaderboard with a wide gap to their chasers. Katy’s Isha Dhruva sits alone in third place, three shots back of Niblett and McMyler. Dhruva’s even-par 72 included four birdies and four bogeys.

A pack of six girls sit in a tie for fourth place at 1-over 73. The group includes Natalie Cao, Christine Wang, 3 time Girls LJT Player of the Year Hailey Jones, Ashley Yen, Olivia Mitchell, and Avery Zweig. Four other girls are tied for 10^th place heading into Sunday’s final round.

The final round of the Texas Girls’ Invitational is scheduled to start Sunday at 8:00 am off the first tee at Sugar Creek Country Club.

For full first round results, please click here.