Max McGreevy, center, shakes hands with Nicolo Galletti after finishing on the 10th hole with a 4-under-par 68 to lead after the first round of stroke-play qualifying (Photo: Joel Kowsky/USGA)
Beau Hossler was the center of attention prior to Monday’s first round of stroke-play qualifying at the U.S. Junior Amateur. But the high school junior who briefly held the lead during last month’s U.S. Open was not among the seven players who broke par at the Golf Club of New England.
Max McGreevy, 17, of Oklahoma City, Okla., made the most of his first trip to the six-state region with a 4-under 68 that was good enough for a two-shot lead at the 7,175-yard, par-72 course in Stratham, N.H. Hossler, along with local favorite Chelso Barrett, of Keene, N.H., were well back, at 77 and 78, respectively.
“I’ve never been east and I’ve never played in a USGA championship, so I didn’t know what to expect,” said McGreevy, who will be a junior and was playing in his first USGA championship. “I haven’t played in a ton of big tournaments, so I didn’t have any goals, except to make match play.”
Another popular contestant, 14-year-old Andy Zhang — the youngest golfer to play in a U.S. Open when he did so in June — will head into the second round of stroke play at 74. As for Hossler and Barrett, the duo will have to make up a lot of ground to make it to match play.
The low 64 golfers after after Tuesday’s second stroke-play competition will advance to the match-play segment of the tourney, which will start Wednesday. The 36-hole championship final will take place on Saturday. The full leaderboard is available at USGA.org.
Emily Kay is a regular contributor to New England Golf Monthly. You may follow Kay on Twitter @golfexaminer
