Stout Threepeat’s at Veritex Bank Byron Nelson Junior Championship

DALLAS – Richardson’s Preston Stout won the 24th Veritex Bank Byron Nelson Junior Championship for the third consecutive year on Thursday at Lakewood Country Club. The incoming Oklahoma State freshman is now tied with Jordan Spieth, who won the event three straight years from 2008-2010, for most victories (total and consecutive) of the prestigious 54-hole championship. Stout defeated Frisco’s Davis Ovard on the first playoff hole by making a two-foot birdie putt.

For the second straight year, Stout won via a playoff. He carded a final round 4-under 67 to finish at 14-under 199 total for the championship. Of all his victories here, this may have been the toughest. He entered the day three back of Ovard and midway through Thursday’s final round he found himself six shots back of the lead after a double bogey at the par-3 fifth hole. It took a furious late charge from Stout on the back nine to force a playoff.

Stout made three consecutive birdies from holes fifteen to seventeen to cut Ovard’s lead to one heading to the final hole. He made par while Ovard missed his eight foot par putt to win.

On the first playoff hole Stout piped his drive up near the green and Ovard laid back with a three wood off the tee. Ovard’s approach landed on the back of the green around thirty feet from the hole. With the door left open, Stout took advantage of his lengthy drive by hitting his short approach shot two feet from the hole. Ovard’s long birdie attempt rolled past the hole to set up the moment for Stout. He calmly tapped in the birdie to defeat Ovard and make history.

“Honestly, I don’t want to say I’m shocked, but I made a double on the fifth hole and was six down after that,” Stout said following the victory. “So, I was just thinking I have to get really hot and that’s what I did at the end of the back nine. I played my last four holes three under. I’m super proud of myself. I was able to keep my mind in it and have some mental toughness. So, yeah, I’m proud of myself.”

Stout has made memories for a lifetime at this championship the last three years and recognized that following his win on Thursday.

“It’s been crazy,” said Stout. “This year and last year both playoff wins. It’s been so fun playing with my buddies and to be able to have all my friends come out and watch me. It’s a really special tournament to me.”

He also realized how incredible tying Spieth’s record is.

“Spieth’s obviously one of the best players in the world and he was my idol when I was younger growing up. To be able to have my name up there with him on the record books is pretty cool.”

With his victory, Stout earns an exemption into next week’s 114th Texas Amateur at Houston Oaks.

36-hole leader Ovard finished runner-up after a valiant effort. He carded a final round 1-under 70 and had three birdies on the day. He will head to Baylor University this fall and looks to be a great addition the Bears squad.

Round one leader Charlie Wylie of Houston hung tough with Stout and Ovard for much of the final round but ultimately carded a 2-over 73 to finish at 10-under for the week and finish in third place.

Burleson’s Blake Keen made a run up the leaderboard on Thursday with a 6-under 65 to grab solo fourth at 8-under for the championship.

There was a three-way tie at 7-under total to round out the top five. Fort Worth’s Connor Henry, Plano’s Byungho Lee, and Richmond’s Mitchell Maier all put together impressive weeks at Lakewood to finish at 206 total for the tournament.

For more information on the Veritex Bank Byron Nelson Jr. Championship, click here.

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.

Wylie Leads Veritex Bank Byron Nelson Junior Championship

DALLAS – Charlie Wylie from Houston went 4-under in his final three holes Tuesday at Lakewood Country Club to take a one-shot lead after round one of the 2023 Veritex Bank Byron Nelson Junior Championship. Wylie, a rising senior at Memorial High School, shot a 7-under-par 64 that included a bogey-free scorecard.

“Putts were falling. I just kept giving myself opportunities,” Wylie said of his first round. “The course was in good shape and very scorable. So, I just kind of took advantage of the holes I could and made pars on the others and kept rolling.”

Sitting one shot back in a tie for second are Frisco’s Davis Ovard and Richmond’s Mitchell Maier after carding rounds of 6-under 65. Maier made birdie on his final two holes while Ovard made three in a row to close things out.

“I’m feeling pretty good,” Maier said about his first round. “Tomorrow, I’m just looking to put it in the middle of the greens again.”

Back-to-back defending champion Preston Stout of Richardson sits tied for fourth with three others after a solid effort of 4-under 67. Elkhorn, Nebraska’s Trevor Gutschewski, Byungho Lee of Plano, and Selma’s Shiv Parmar join Stout at three back of the lead through one round.

“I feel good,” Stout said of beginning his title defense. “It was kind of tough going back out there after the lightning delay but made birdie on 17 and a solid easy par on 18.”

Stout, who successfully defended his title last year, has an opportunity to join elite company this year. If Stout can cap off the “threepeat,” he will tie Jordan Spieth’s record of three consecutive Veritex Bank Byron Nelson Junior Championship victories.

Three players share eighth place at 3-under 68. Plano’s Rhett O’Rear, Prosper’s Ryan Shellberg, and Daniel Zou of The Woodlands are all four shots behind Wylie headed into Wednesday’s second round of the prestigious 54-hole championship.

Four players sit tied for eleventh at 2-under par as the rest of the field chases a piece of Texas golf history.

Tuesday’s weather was nice in the morning with comfortable temperatures and partly cloudy skies. The afternoon had other plans though. Round one was delayed to due storms in the area. Play stopped at 2:03 PM and then resumed at 5:22 PM.

For the third time in tournament history, the LJT conducted a Monday Qualifier for the final four spots into the 84-player field. Collin Alstrin from Prosper won the Qualifier with a 2-under 69. Fort Worth’s Sam Bumgardner and Spring’s Asher Vargas both carded rounds of 1-under 70. The last spot in the qualifier was secured by Patrick Babb who shot an even-par 71.

The Veritex Bank Byron Nelson Junior Championship has received registration entries from more than 350 juniors from across the state in each of the past few years.

“The Monday Qualifier has been a great addition to the event because of the demand for entries,” said Scott Davidson, LJT Tournament Director. “We’ve had a lot of positive feedback regarding the qualifier the past few years.”

Round 2 of the Veritex Bank Byron Nelson Junior Championship starts Wednesday at 8 a.m. For more information, including complete scoring, click here.

Veritex Bank Byron Nelson Junior Championship Set for June 6-8  

DALLAS – The Veritex Bank Byron Nelson Junior Championship, the most prestigious all-boys junior event in the state, is set for June 6-8 at Lakewood Country Club.    

“This event is always exciting to be a part of,” said Scott Davidson, Tournament Director. “Lakewood is a spectacular host for the elite championship, and the field gets tougher each year. This year will include four players that will earn their spots through a Monday qualifier for the third time. We’re also excited to welcome back two past champions to the field.” 

Veritex Community Bank, a leading financial institution in Texas, is the title sponsor for the fifth consecutive year. Longtime Lakewood member and Veritex Bank CEO/President Malcolm Holland was a part of a small group that created the Byron Nelson Junior Championship in 1999.  

Holland indicated Veritex Bank is excited to be a part of this monumental tournament and renewed its’ agreement last year as title sponsor for this event through 2024.  

“Veritex Bank is honored to be associated with such a prestigious junior championship,” Holland said. “We are committed to serving the game, promoting junior golf and hosting an excellent championship for everyone involved.”   

For the 23rd time, Lakewood will serve as host to the prestigious junior event. Opened in 1912, Lakewood was designed by Tom Bendelow, a Scottish architect whose tremendous career included north of 400 golf courses. In 1947, Texan Ralph Plummer redesigned the layout. In 1995, the team of Ben Crenshaw and Bill Coore completed a facelift of Lakewood and then again in 2014.  

The par-71 layout plays from 6,750 yards and features Bermuda fairways and bentgrass greens.   

Throughout the years, the Veritex Bank Byron Nelson Junior Championship has crowned many worthy champions. That list includes Jordan Spieth, who won three consecutive times from 2008-10. Ryan Grider, the 2020 Texas Amateur Champion, and Pierceson Coody, part of the recent Texas Longhorn National Champion Team, are also past champions.   

Along with those standouts, fellow past champions include Ryan Baca (2000-01), Alex Moon (2006), Eric Durbin (2005), Vincent Martino (2011), Justin Fraley (2002), Levi Valadez (2016), and Luke Dossey (2017). Recent past Champions Gaven Lane (2019) and Preston Stout (2021 & 2022) are in this year’s field looking to repeat as champions.  

Stout, who successfully defended his title last year, has an opportunity to join elite company in 2023. If Stout can cap off the “threepeat,” he will tie Jordan Spieth’s record of three consecutive Veritex Bank Byron Nelson Junior Championship victories.  

Earlier this month, Stout spoke about his thoughts heading into the championship.  

“It’s always in the back of my head (tying Jordan Spieth’s record),” he said. “It definitely makes me work harder. I won’t try to focus on it once the tournament comes, but yeah, it’s in the back of my head for sure.” 

The 84-player field will play 54 holes of stroke play competition. After 36 holes, the field is cut to the low 30 players and ties for the final round.  

The tournament is World Amateur Golf, Golfweek, and Junior Golf Scoreboard ranked. Numerous AJGA performance stars will be handed out to the top finishers, including “Fully Exempt” status. 

For the third year in a row there will be an 18-hole qualifier on Monday, June 5. Four spots into the championship will be up for grabs. For more information on the Veritex Bank Byron Nelson Junior Championship, click here.   

Preston Stout Repeats as Champion of the 23rd Veritex Bank Byron Nelson Junior Championship

Algya Maintains Veritex Bank Byron Nelson Junior Championship Lead

DALLAS – Trevor Algya of Highland Village maintained his lead at 4-under in the Veritex Bank Byron Nelson Jr. Championship. He finished his second round at Lakewood Country Club with a 1-over 72, ending the day with a one-stroke lead.

Algya started his day smoothly with a 2-under front nine, thanks to birdies on the par-4 1st hole and par-5 9th hole. On his back nine, Algya produced four bogeys that set him back a couple of shots, but not enough to take him out of the lead.

“I didn’t execute some shots that I should have,” said Algya of his back nine struggles. “My putter wasn’t working as well today as it was yesterday.”

Algya still remains positive heading into Thursday’s final round.

“Solid tee shots and landing spots on greens is my mindset throughout the whole tournament, especially for tomorrow,” Algya says of his game plan for the final round of the championship.

As Algya sits alone in first, there are 5 players tied for 2nd. Henry Guan, Andrew Petruzzelli, Ben Delarosa, Preston Stout, and Kevin Mu all sit at 3-under par total.

Defending champion, Preston Stout of Richardson, carded a 1-over par 72 today in the second round.

Stout was steady throughout his day by going 3-under through 14 holes. He then proceeded to go 4-over in his last four holes.

“I am not too happy about that,” says Stout about his finishing holes. “But that’s how it goes sometimes.”

Stout made an electric eagle by driving the green on the par-4 16th hole.

“The hole was downwind so I ripped my driver to 20-feet,” the Oklahoma State commit recounts. “I was able to just one-putt for eagle, so that was nice.”

Lakewood Country Club’s very own member Andrew Petruzzelli was on fire today as he carded the round of the day with a 5-under 66.

Petruzzelli finished his front nine one-under par and was able to finish his back nine strong.

“I just stayed patient all day,” Petruzzelli said. “The ball kept dropping in.”

Petruzzelli indeed had the ball dropping as he made 7 birdies total in the second round.

“I was wedging it close and pretty much made everything,” he says.

The TCU commit knows this course well as he has been a member at Lakewood for a while.

“I have been here my whole life,” Petruzzelli said. “I’m out here every day and glad to be a member here.”

Sitting alone in 7th is Waco’s Brayden Bare at 2-under par. Bare carded an even-par 71 today in the second round.

A trio of players are tied for 8th at 1-under par. Nicholas Logis, Jake Maggert, and Brooks Simmons are all just three shots back of the lead.

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.

Trevor Algya Leads Veritex Bank Byron Nelson Junior Championship

DALLAS – Trevor Algya from Highland Village birdied his final hole Tuesday at Lakewood Country Club to take a one-shot lead after one round at the 2022 Veritex Bank Byron Nelson Junior Championship. Algya, a recent graduate and incoming freshman at Loyola Marymount University, shot a 5-under-par 66 that included a bogey-free scorecard.

“I’m feeling pretty awesome,” Algya said of his first round. “A bogey-free round today and my caddie was great. We had a plan to every hole and stuck to it.”

Plan executed through 18 holes at Lakewood Country Club. Algya began his round on the back nine and immediately birdied his first hole, the par-4 10th. Algya tacked on a birdie on the par-4 18th and made the turn bogey-free and 2-under par. He made three more birdies on his second nine.

“I’ve played in this tournament the past two years,” said Algya, who finished T9 in the 2021 Veritex Bank Byron Nelson Junior Championship. “The course is great and in great condition, so I’m excited for tomorrow.”

Sitting one shot back in solo second is defending champion Preston Stout. The incoming senior from Richardson put together another great round at Lakewood Country Club with a 4-under 67.

“I hit it really well and wedged it well too,” Stout said of beginning his title defense. “I could’ve made a few more putts, but 4-under is still a solid round.”

Stout sits a stroke ahead of a trio of players. Brooks Simmons of Dallas, Jaivir Pande of Houston, and Austin Hofferkamp of The Woodlands all shot 3-under 68 on Tuesday.

Two players share sixth place at 2-under 69. Brayden Bare from Waco and Noah Holtzman of Wichita, Kansas are all just three shots behind Algya headed into Wednesday’s second round of the prestigious 54-hole championship.

Seven players sit tied for eighth at 1-under par as the rest of the field chases a piece of Texas golf history.

For the second time in tournament history, the LJT conducted a Monday Qualifier for the final four spots into the 84-player field. Price Hill from Boerne won the Qualifier with an even-par 71. Luke D’Alise from Lubbock (+1), Logan Zurn from Grapevine (+2) and Parker Heath from Dallas (+3) also qualified for the championship on Monday.

The Veritex Bank Byron Nelson Junior Championship has received registration entries from more than 350 juniors from across the state in each of the past few years.

“We decided to continue the Monday Qualifier this year because of the demand for entries,” said Kevin Porter, the TGA’s Director of Competitions for North Texas. “We also had a lot of positive feedback regarding the qualifier last year.”

Hill, who won the Qualifier, put himself in solid position heading into the rest of the event. In Tuesday’s first round he shot a 2-over 73 and sits in a tie for 37^th.

Round 2 of the Veritex Bank Byron Nelson Junior Championship starts Wednesday at 8 a.m. For more information, including complete scoring, click here.