MONTEREY, Calif. (December 2, 2017) -- St. Mary's College senior Pavan Sagoo fired a 7-under 65 today to take the first round lead at the AmateurGolf.com Christmas Classic.
Sagoo, who learned to play the game in his native England, nearly matched his tournament low round of 64, which he posted at Fresno's Ft. Washington in a collegiate event. Just as all golfers do, Sagoo lamented a couple of short birdie putts that got in the way of his round going even lower.
"I missed a couple of short ones," he said. "But I made my share."
He posted 2-under 34 on the front nine, and an amazing 5-under 31 on the back, with 5 threes and 4 fours. Not bad.
But even at 7-under, Sagoo has two competitors in very close range. The first one, Leland High School junior Lucas Carper, is just a shot back after a 6-under 66. And rounding out the final threesome on Sunday will be Carmel High School junior George McNeely, who fashioned a 4-under 68.
Many other players are within striking distance, including 2016 San Francisco City champion Brian Ma, playing in his first AmateurGolf.com event. The Archbishop Mitty H.S. junior posted 72 on a Del Monte layout he's very familiar with.
SENIOR & NET DIVISIONS
Glenn Andrade of Napa and Tony Ralph of Sunnyvale are tied for the lead in the Senior Division at 4-over 76. They have a two shot cushion over Jay Guerin (Alameda) and Pete Wlodkowski (Carlsbad) who posted 78, with another 4 players at 79. It's anyone's game.
In the Net Division, first time AmateurGolf.com contestant Craig Dowd of Bakersfield posted 1-under 71 to tie with Turlock CC member John Borrelli of Newman. They have a three shot lead over Charles Balisha, who is also a member of Turlock and traveling with a group who players the Christmas Classic every year. Bragging rights are at stake.
Pavan Sagoo posts 65 to lead AGC Classic by one
St. Mary's College senior is chased by high schooler's Lucas Carper (66) and George McNeely (68)