Lench & Kumar Lead 60th Boys' Junior

Gabriel Lench and Sachin Kumar lead their respective divisions after the first round of the 60th Florida State Boys’ Junior Amateur Championship at Belleair Country Club in Belleair. The Championship continues through Thursday, July 10.

In the 16-18 age division, Gabriel Lench, of Lake Mary, (pictured right) fired an impressive round of seven-under par 64 to open up the 60th Boys’ Junior Amateur Championship. Lench, who recently captured the 97th Amateur Championship, rode a hot putter in round one on the East Course, making eight birdies to go along with his lone bogey on the par-3 third hole. Lench is looking to become the first player to win the Amateur Championship and the Boys' Junior in the same season. Colton Godwin, of Ocala, is currently in second place after a round of five-under par 66. Godwin got off to a slow start playing his first 12 holes in one-over par, but hit the accelerator on his 13th hole making an eagle, and followed that with four straight birdies to finish off his round.  Ryan Celano, of Naples, John Coultas, of Valrico, and Kyler Tate, of Winter Garden, are all tied for third place posting rounds of 67 on the East Course. The Defending Champion Jacob Kline, of Saint Augustine, is currently tied for 32nd place after a first round one-over par 72 on the East Course.

In the 13-15 age division, Sachin Kumar, of Port Saint Lucie, opens up with a solid round of three-under par 68 to take one shot lead. Playing the West Course in round one, Kumar would make birdies on holes 3, 9 and 10 to go along with no bogeys. Alberto Martinez, of Weston, sits alone in second place after his round of two-under par 69. Brandon Mancheno, of Jacksonville, and Anton Serafini, of Lake Mary, are currently tied for third place after their rounds of 70. The 13-15 division will shift over to the East course for the second round of play on Wednesday.

Before reaching the Championship, over 300 participants attempted to qualify at one of 6 sites across the state. In all, 51 players earned exempt statues through a variety of different means. In the Championship, all players will play eighteen holes each on the West Course and East Course on Tuesday, July 8th and Wednesday, July 9th. After 36-holes, the field will be cut to the low 51 players and ties in the Boys 16-18 Division and 21 and ties in the Boys 13-15 Division. The final eighteen holes will be played on the West Course.

To enter, participants must be between the ages of 13-18 as of July 10 and not attending college. Also, the juniors must have a handicap index no higher than 17.4. 

Round 1 Results