After both players parred the opening hole, Ballester quickly took control, winning the next three holes with a birdie on the par-4 2nd, a par on the par-5 3rd, and a chip-in birdie on the par-4 4th, putting him 3 UP after just four holes.

Kent halted the run with a par on the 5th, where Ballester made his first bogey. However, Ballester quickly bounced back with another birdie on the par-3 8th, extending his lead to 3 UP. He maintained this advantage until a bogey on the par-4 14th allowed Kent to narrow the gap. The two exchanged pars on the par-5 15th, with Ballester holding a 2-UP lead with three holes remaining in the morning round.

Late bogeys by Kent on the 16th and 17th holes allowed Ballester to seal the morning round with a pair of steady pars, stretching his lead to 4 UP. The duo closed out the first 18 holes with matching pars on the challenging par-4 18th.

Ballester made four birdies in the morning, while Kent managed just one, on the par-5 11th. Kent won just two holes this morning, making par on the 5th and 14th holes.

Both players are chasing history. Kent aims to become the first Iowa Hawkeye to win the U.S. Amateur, while Ballester seeks to become the first Spaniard to claim the title, joining 2021 U.S. Open champion Jon Rahm as only the second Spaniard to win a USGA event.

Regardless of the final outcome, both Kent and Ballester have already earned invitations to the 2025 U.S. Open at Oakmont and are likely headed to Augusta National for The Masters in April 2025. The eventual champion will also secure a spot in the 2025 Open Championship at Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland.

The final 18 holes of the match will begin at 1:00 p.m. local time. Kent has some ground to make up, while Ballester will aim to secure the championship—an unforgettable 21st birthday gift.