Denver’s Hunter Swanson grabs lead in AJGA Montrose event with first-round 65; Kaylee Chen top Coloradan among girls
By Gary Baines – 8/3/2021
Week after week this summer, Hunter Swanson has been presented with a new challenge or accomplishment on the golf course.
The Denver resident, a senior-to-be at Northfield High School who has committed to play his college golf at the University of Colorado, this week is attempting to win an AJGA event for the first time. And on Tuesday, a stellar start could help him accomplish that goal.
The 2020 Junior Golf Alliance of Colorado Boys Player of the Year grabbed the boys lead in the inaugural AJGA Junior Open at The Bridges Presented by the City of Montrose. Swanson fired a 6-under-par 65, making an eagle, five birdies and one bogey to go up by one in the 54-hole event.
Swanson is a member of the Hale Irwin Player Program at CommonGround Golf Course who qualified for the 2021 U.S. Junior Amateur and played on the this year’s Colorado Junior America’s Cup team. He finished runner-up in a playoff at the 2021 First Tee National Championship.
Jack Cantlay of Los Alamitos, Calif., younger brother of four-time PGA Tour winner Patrick Cantlay, holds second place at 66. Luke Cushman, runner-up in last week’s AJGA’s Colorado Springs Junior by Centura Health, shares third place at 67 with Ty Holbrook of Granbury, Texas.
In the girls tournament in Montrose, Mallory Matthews of Hondo, Texas took a two-stroke lead with a 3-under 68 on Tuesday. She made eight birdies on the day.
The top Colorado girl after round 1 is Kaylee Chen of Parker, who opened with a 72 that included two birdies and three bogeys. She’s tied for fifth place.
The Junior Open at The Bridges marks the third and last AJGA tournament of 2021 that will be held in Colorado, following the Hale Irwin Colorado Junior in June at Walnut Creek in Westminster and the Colorado Springs Junior by Centura Health last week at The Club at Flying Horse.
For all the scores from Montrose, CLICK HERE.