Around the Green

Brambilla Takes Lead at Texas Girls’ Invitational

VICTORIA – Southlake’s Chiara Brambilla fired a 4-under 68 to take control of the Texas Girls’ Invitational at Victoria Country Club on Sunday. Her round is the lowest of the tournament thus far and only the second score under par. The class of 2024 junior is 7-under in her last 27 holes of the Major Championship.

Brambilla’s Sunday scorecard featured four birdies and no blemishes. At 2-under through 36 holes, she will take a two-shot lead into Monday’s final round of the 54-hole girls-only Major Championship. The putter has been the key to success for Brambilla.

“I put myself in good spots on the fairway and we got moved up on the par 5’s,” Brambilla said. “I had good chances to get there in two. I made a lot more putts than yesterday and it just led to a 4-under.”

After starting the Championship 6-over in her first seven holes, Brambilla’s play has been spectacular. She will look to maintain that momentum tomorrow in hopes of capturing her first LJT Major Championship. Brambilla recently won the LJT Texas Junior Golf Alliance Invitational last fall.

“The plan is to hit the same number of fairways, give myself some opportunities, and make putts,” Brambilla said of her plan heading into Monday’s final round.

Round one leader Adrienne Ahn trails Brambilla by two strokes after carding a second round 1-over 73. She sits at even-par for the Championship and is also seeking her first LJT Major victory.

“It was a bit of a struggle today,” Ahn said of her second round. “I kept on missing some short putts, so I am going to go work on that later. I’m hoping that I can fix my putter mistakes and play better tomorrow.”

Sitting seven shots off the lead in a three-way tie for third is Austin’s Claire Wan, Plano’s Summer Lee, and Breanna Hoese of Austin. This trio at 5-over for the Championship will look to make a major Monday move in hopes of capturing a comeback win.

Kerrville’s Raleygh Simpson shot an even par 72 to vault herself into sixth place and eight shots behind the lead heading into Monday’s final round.

This is the first LJT event to be played at Victoria CC. Originally built by E.L. Grunder as a nine-hole course in 1924, the current eighteen-hole layout was redesigned by Joe Finger. The course played at 5,929 yards in Sunday’s second round.

The weather at Victoria Country Club warmed up significantly during Sunday’s second round. Temperatures reached as high as 78 degrees and the field took advantage. Monday’s final round is forecasted for another day of great weather.

Monday’s final round will begin off the No. 1 and No. 10 tees starting at 8:00 AM. To see all the pairings, click here.

To see all the scores from the first two rounds, click here. For more information on the Texas Girls’ Invitational, click here.