Local favorites Ella June Hannant and Jenna Kim got off to good starts in Monday’s first round of stroke play at the U.S. Girls’ Junior at Old Chatham.
Hannant, who lives in Pikeville, shot 3-under-par 69 to tie for ninth in the 156-player field. Victoria Davis of Cary shot 70.
Jenna Kim of Raleigh shot 72 and is tied for 54th on the cutline for one of 64 spots in match play after Tuesday’s final round of stroke play.
Australian Amelia Harris blitzed the back nine in 28 to grab the first-round lead with 63. Harris bogeyed the ninth hole to post a solid 35 on the front side before making eight birdies — she parred the par-3 12th — to complete her round. Anna Awanaga of Japan shot 66, the first of three players to finish the day three strokes behind Harris.
Carolinas Girls’ Junior champion Mia Carles of Clinton, South Carolina, shot 72. Riley Grimm of Pinehurst and Maria Isabella of Colombia, who plays out of Southern Pines, shot 73 and remain in contention.
