Filler, Ma and Fischer Hold First-Round Lead

What Happened

Players battled high temperatures in the first round of the 61st Girls’ Junior Amateur Championship in Bradenton. Maisie Filler holds the lead in the 16-18 Division, while Bridget Ma and Jordan Fischer share the lead in the 13-15 Division.

An incoming University of Florida freshman, Filler fired a 4-under 67 in the first round at Bradenton Country Club. Ma and Fisher, who were playing at River Strand Golf & Country Club, each carded a 4-under 68.

Filler, who began her day on the back nine, started the day with a bogey on the 10th hole, but rebounded with three-straight pars. The Palm Beach Gardens made the turn at 3-under, after birding four of the final five holes on her first nine.

“I didn't start off great, I bogeyed the first hole. I think I was kind of nervous for the first couple holes,” Filler said. “Then I got my groove going and committed to every shot and all my putts. It worked out.”

She added another first on the first to move to 4-under. Filler holds a two-shot lead over the field heading into the second round.

Ma played a solid front nine, posting three birdies and one bogey, to make the turn at 2-under. The Windermere native birdied two of three holes to start the back nine. She finished the day birdie-bogey to record a first-round 68.

After starting the day at even-par, Fischer birdied four of five holes at the turn to move to 4-under. The North Fort Myers native finished the day with seven-straight pars to hold a share of the lead after the first round.

Notable

Last year’s champions have their eye on another title. Jillian Bourdage, the 16-18 champion, posted a 2-under 69 in the first round and sits in a tie for second with Ellen Dong. The 13-15 champion, Kaitlyn Schroeder carded an even-par 72 on Tuesday to head into the second round in a tie for third place with Izzy Pellot.

Eighty-one players teed it up at Bradenton Country Club, while 83 players played at River Strand Golf & Country Club

A total of five players posted under-par rounds in the first round.

The field will be cut to low 70 players and ties after Wednesday’s round.

Quotable

“Every time I go into a tournament, I try to have no expectations and go out and enjoy the round. Coming into today, I wasn't sure what to expect. I just wanted to give it my best and hopefully put up a good number and give it my best shot.” ­­– Bourdage on battling the heat this week

“I made a couple small mistakes on the par-5s. If I can clean that up, I should play pretty good the rest of the week.” Schroeder on her play in the first round

“We’re playing a different golf course in the second round, so you kind of have to alter your mindset a bit. I think it’s more target golf tomorrow at River Strand. Just keeping it the same and hopefully, keep it going.” Filler on heading into the second round

A Look at the Leaderboard

16-18 Division

13-15 Division

Round 1 Results  |  Round 2 Pairings |  Live Scoring