Around the Green

Gonzalez Leads at Texas Cup Invitational After Round 1

WACO – High winds and tough conditions sent scores soaring in the first round of the 2021 Texas Cup Invitational at Ridgewood Country Club Friday, with just a single player, Texas commit Alejandro Gonzalez, shooting under par in the elite junior event.

With gusting winds on the classic Ralph Plummer designed par 70 course, on the shores of Lake Waco, the average score for the first day of the 54-hole event was 75.93. There were 24 scores at 78 or higher compared to only 11 of 72 or lower.

“I thought I played pretty good today, putted good, hit it well, but that wind was tough today. It could come from anywhere,” said Gonzalez.

His opening round 68, put him two shots clear of the best junior golfers in the state in the major championship for the Legends Junior Tour.

Tied for second was Austin’s Prayaag Oruganti and Andrew Spaulding from Spring at even par 70. A total of 6 players were tied for fourth at 71, including Dallas’ Parker Heath. He held the back nine lead at 3-under-par after a birdie on the par 4 14^th hole, only to finish bogey, double bogey, bogey, par.

Even Gonzalez, from Queretaro, Mexico, who played in an early group, fell victim to the tough Central Texas conditions. He had a triple bogey seven on the par 4 sixth hole, but rebounded with birdies on 1, 4, 8 and 15, plus a chip in eagle on the par 4, 14^th.

“It was tough out there today. On the 6^th hole I hooked it left and then just started chipping it out,” he said. “But I was able to come back.”

Indeed he did with birdie putts all less than 15^th feet and the eagle chip in he said was as lucky as it was good.

“I was 50 yards out to the side off the fairway and was trying to hit a high shot which would bounce on the green. Instead, I hit it low and running. I didn’t see it, but they said it hit the pin and went in. It was a lucky bounce.”

But the star junior who has worked for the last five years with Jordan Spieth teacher Cameron McCormick said it was another good day on a course he had never seen before two days ago.

“There are some blind tee shots out here you have to be ready for, but it’s a nice course, great condition and really good greens. Working with Cameron has helped my game so much in a lot of areas.”

Baylor University commit Sam Dossey led a group of players tied for 12^th at 73, three-over-par, while Waco’s Brayden Bare had the lowest local score of 78.

The Second Round of the Texas Cup Invitational is scheduled for Saturday, Mar. 13 with tee times going off the No. 1 and 10 tees. To see pairings for the final round, click here.

For more information on the Texas Cup Invitational, click here.