Around the Green

Chang, Yen and Mierl Lead George Hannon Junior Invitational

Briefly: Hanseung Chang of Cedar Park leads the Boys 15-18 Division at the George Hannon Junior Invitational presented by Texas Mutual following a 2-under-par 69 in Round 1 at The University of Texas Golf Club. Ashley Yen of Houston cards an opening round 1-under-par 70 and leads the Girls 12-18 Division, while Austin’s Trenton Mierl fires a bogey-free 5-under-par 66 to lead the Boys 14 & Under Division.

Leaderboard:
Boys 15-18
1) Hanseung Chang          Cedar Park         69
T2) Jack Wehman             Austin                 70
T2) Jacob Sosa                 Austin                 70
Girls 12-18
1) Ashley Yen                     Houston             70
T2) Gabbi Bentancourt       Frisco                 71
T2) Bentley Cotton             Austin                 71
T2) Kaylee Vesely              Austin                 71
Boys 14 & Under
1) Trenton Mierl                Austin                  66
T2) Kevin Mu                    Austin                  75
T2) Jonathan Kim             Round Rock        75

Round 1 Results | Round 2 Pairings

Golf Course: The University of Texas Golf Club was built in 2003 and designed by Becholt Russell Golf Course Design. The par-71 championship golf course stretches across the Texas Hill Country and overlooks Lake Austin. The 7,412-yard layout offers challenging shots and some of the best views in Austin. It is the home of the University of Texas Men’s and Women’s Golf Teams and has played host to the George Hannon Junior Invitational presented by Texas Mutual four times. Round 1 was contested at 6,912 yards in the Boys 15-18 Division; 5,812 yards in the Girls 12-18 Division and 6,301 yards in the Boys 14 & Under Division.

Weather: The temperature reached 104 degrees with steady winds at around 10 mph.

In Contention: Hanseung Chang of Cedar Park carded an opening round 2-under-par 69. The senior at Cedar Park High School made the turn at even par. He birdied the par-3 eighth and par-5 ninth to close out his round and lead the Boys 15-18 Division by one stroke. Chang looks to win his first Legends Junior Tour title tomorrow at UT Golf Club.

“It’s my last Legends (tournament),” Chang said. “I really hope to win one and finish the year off strong.”

Jack Wehman and Jacob Sosa of Austin are tied second after rounds of 1-under-par 71. Andrew Spaulding of Spring, Daniel Moon of Temple and Frisco’s Henry Frizzell are all tied fourth at even par.

Ashley Yen of Houston birdied her closing two holes to fire a 1-under-par 71. She leads the Girls 12-18 Division by one stroke. Yen finished in the top-10 at the Texas Girls’ Invitational back in February and looks to claim her first LJT title as well.

Austin local and 2020 University of Texas commit Bentley Cotton is tied second with Frisco’s Gabbi Bentancourt and Austin’s Kaylee Vesley at even par. Chelsea Romas of Coppell, Emma McMyler of San Antonio, Lauren Nguyen of Katy and Meagan Winans of Richardson are just two shots off the lead and tied fifth at 1-over par. 

In the Boys 14 & Under Division, Trenton Mierl of Austin stole the show. The 13-year-old eighth grader fired a bogey-free 5-under-par 66. He leads his division by nine strokes and says he tried to simply stay patient throughout Round 1.

“I was just trying to keep my mind focused and play through each hole one shot at a time,” Mierl said. “I just tried to stay calm and not get overwhelmed.”

Jonathan Kim of Round Rock and Kevin Mu of Austin are tied second at 4-over par. Andrew Petruzelli of Dallas, Bowen Ballias of Shenandoah and Frisco’s Davis Ovard are tied sixth after rounds of 6-over 77.

What’s Next: Final Round tee times start Tuesday morning at 7:30 a.m. off No. 1 & 10 tees at UT Golf Club.  

More Info: For more information on the George Hannon Junior Invitational presented by Texas Mutual, click here.