Puebla’s round was a clinic in efficiency and scoring. He carded seven birdies and added an eagle while keeping a clean card with no bogeys. A front-nine 31 jumpstarted the round, and he maintained control throughout the back nine to post the lowest score of the day.

The 2027 graduate and University of Florida verbal commit entered the week as one of the favorites, backed by a strong resume that includes a runner-up finish at the Boys Junior PGA Championship and multiple top finishes in elite national events. His consistency across the AJGA circuit has been a defining trait, and Thursday’s performance only reinforced that reputation.

Close behind, Miles Eubanks sits at 7-under after an opening-round 65, while Parker Bell is third at 6-under with a 66. A group of players at 5-under — including Landon Ashcraft, Matt Vogt, and Steele Dewald — remains well within reach as the tournament begins to take shape.

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Played at Naples National Golf Club, the Terra Cotta Invitational annually draws one of the strongest junior fields in the country. The course demands precision off the tee and disciplined iron play, rewarding players who can balance aggressive scoring with mistake-free golf — a formula Puebla executed to perfection in round one.

With 36 holes remaining, the leaderboard is tightly packed, and several top contenders are within striking distance. Still, Puebla has set the tone early and positioned himself as the player to chase heading into the middle rounds.

Round two begins Friday morning, where the field will look to close the gap as the Terra Cotta Invitational continues to unfold.