TJ Shehee of Mead, who qualified for the 2017 U.S. Junior Amateur, and Katie Berrian of Castle Rock grabbed the lead in their respective divisions after Monday’s first round of the Colorado Junior Amateur at Todd Creek Golf Club in Thornton.
Shehee fired a 6-under-par 66 to grab a three-stroke advantage among the boys. And Berrian posted an even-par 72 to go up by three in the girls tournament.
The 54-hole Colorado Junior Am, the second major of the year for the Junior Golf Alliance of Colorado, will continue through Wednesday.
Shehee made seven birdies and one bogey in the opening round. The 17-year-old played his final 13 holes in 6 under. Shehee finished eighth last month in the year’s first major, the Colorado PGA Championship.
A total of seven boys broke par on Monday. Ryan Liao, a 15-year-old from Littleton, holds second place at 69 after a five-birdie, two-bogey day. Sharing third place at 70 are Jack Hughes of Aspen and Jake Francis of Watkins.
Berrian, who finished third in the 5A girls state high school tournament in May, carded three birdies and three bogeys on Monday to take the top spot among the girls after round 1.
Josie Baker, a JGAC member from Sherman Oaks, Calif., posted a 75 despite a triple bogey on No. 6 to hold second place. Marie Jordaan of Lakewood sits in third place at 76.
For the scores from the Colorado Junior Amateur, click BOYS, GIRLS.
