Around the Green

Ovard Leads at Veritex Bank Byron Nelson Junior Championship

DALLAS – Frisco’s Davis Ovard fired a second round 7-under 64 at Lakewood Country Club to take a one shot lead at the Veritex Bank Byron Nelson Junior Championship on Wednesday. The incoming freshman at Baylor is 13-under for the championship through 36 holes and will look to claim his first LJT major victory on Thursday.

“Everything’s feeling good,” Ovard said after his second round. “Started a little rocky today. I had a three putt on the second hole, and I missed a five-footer for birdie on the third hole. Once the putts started falling, it all went well from there. I was hitting the ball good all day and it was just me making the putts that made the difference.”

Ovard doesn’t plan on shaking up what he’s been doing thus far for the final round.

“My caddie and I are just going to try and do the same thing. I want to have fun and make it an experience we both enjoy and not take it so seriously.”

Sitting one shot back is Houston’s Charlie Wylie at 12-under for the tournament after a second round of 5-under 66. He is bogey free through 36 holes with ten birdies and an eagle. The SMU commit will look to win in his future college’s city on Thursday.

“Just keep it in play and don’t make any mistakes,” Wylie said of his final round game plan. “Stay out of trouble and be patient.”

Back-to-back defending champion Preston Stout of Richardson sits three back of the lead at 10-under total. The incoming Oklahoma State freshman fired a 6-under 65 in round two to put himself in great standing heading into the final round.

“I putted a lot better today,” Stout said of his second round play. “Still hit it great today though. Hit the long irons good and made birdie on a couple of the long par 3’s.”

Stout has done everything he can through 36 holes to give himself a legitimate opportunity to complete the ‘three-peat’. Tying Jordan Spieth’s record of three consecutive Veritex Bank Byron Nelson Junior Championship victories will be on the line on Thursday.

Richmond’s Mitchell Maier sits at 6-under total to occupy solo fourth, while Austin’s Sterling Hurd rounds out the top five at 5-under for the championship.

Wednesday’s weather stayed pretty consistent throughout the day with temperatures that got as high as 90 degrees by the end of play. Thursday’s final round forecast appears to be similar.

The field was cut to the low 30 players and tee times will begin Thursday morning at 8:00 am. For more information on the Veritex Bank Byron Nelson Jr. Championship, click here.