Kayun Mudadana and Raegan Denton lead Australian Junior Amateur after round one
April 9, 2024 | by Golf Australia
see also: Kayun Mudadana, View results for Australian Junior Amateur, Ballarat Golf Club
Mudadana shot a bogey free first round 4-under 68 and Denton fired an opening round 3-under 69 to grab the lead
Two holes-in-one and outstanding rounds from a number of players provided the highlights on day one of the 2024 Australian Junior Amateur at Gosnells Golf Club in Perth.
New South Wales Golf Club member Kayun Mudadana holds the outright lead in the boy's championship, while South Australian Raegan Denton shares the girls' lead with New Zealand's Chloe So.
Mudadana was clinical as he plotted his way around the course at Gosnells, carding four birdies and no bogeys to finish with a 4-under 66.
"I made few birdies on some tough holes with tough pins," he said.
"It felt pretty tricky; at times, I was scrambling."
Sitting one shot behind Mudadana in solo second at 3-under 69 is South Australia's Josh Grundel.
Playing alongside Mudadana was local product Josiah Edwards, who had what felt like half the Gosnells member base following him. Their favorite did not disappoint, shooting a steady 2-under 68 on the course he knows inside out.
Royal Adelaide's Raegan Denton came out firing early on day one, carding a 3-under 68, the only under-par round from the morning groups - girls and boys - on her way to the top of the leaderboard.
"I putted really well which I was happy with, so just kept it cool and consistent," she said.
An eagle on the par-5 No. 10 highlighted Denton's round.
"I hit a five-iron to about eight feet, and I was able to sink the putt," she beamed.
"My year has been pretty good. I've had a lot of fun so far."
Joining Denton at the top of the leaderboard, New Zealander Chloe So came home strong with 3-under on her back nine.
Day one highlights came from New Zealanders Eunseo Choi and Bill Eppelstun (NSW), who both had hole-in-ones today. Eppelstun's came on No. 14, and Choi made her perfect swing on No. 11.
Choi's ace came in the middle of a hot stretch of holes. Making the turn in 4-over, she started her back nine by picking up five shots with a birdie-ace-birdie-birdie sequence. The New Zealand champ ended her day with a 3-over 74 but will be one to watch for the remainder of the week.
About the Australian Junior Amateur
The Australian Junior Amateur Championship is open to players aged under 18 years on the first day of play. The initial field size is 156 players (105 boys and 51 girls), and it is contested over 72-holes stroke play (with a cut after 54-holes).
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