Round one of the New Year’s Invitational concluded Friday at St. Petersburg Country Club in St. Petersburg, Florida, with scoring conditions allowing early movement at the top of the leaderboard.
Lucas Gimenez and Carson Baez of the University of Richmond set the early pace, each opening with five under par 66 to share the lead after the first round. Both players took advantage of scoring opportunities throughout the day to establish a one shot cushion heading into round two.
Bailey Sutter, an Alabama commit, and Notre Dame’s Liam Pasternak sit one stroke back in a tie for third after matching rounds of four under par 67. Both remained steady across the championship layout and stayed within reach of the leaders.
Minnesota’s Jack Wetzel and Kentucky’s Jacob Lang are tied for fifth at three under par after opening rounds of 68.
Four players share seventh at two under par 69, including Cole Starnes of Indiana, John Daly II of Arkansas, Reed Greyserman of Princeton, and Luke Balaskiewicz of North Florida.
The field completed the opening round at St. Petersburg Country Club with minimal separation near the top, setting up a competitive second round as the New Year’s Invitational continues.
Top 10 After Round One
T1. Lucas Gimenez, five under 66
T1. Carson Baez, University of Richmond, five under 66
T3. Bailey Sutter, Alabama commit, four under 67
T3. Liam Pasternak, Notre Dame, four under 67
T5. Jack Wetzel, University of Minnesota, three under 68
T5. Jacob Lang, University of Kentucky, three under 68
T7. Cole Starnes, Indiana University, two under 69
T7. John Daly II, University of Arkansas, two under 69
T7. Reed Greyserman, Princeton University, two under 69
T7. Luke Balaskiewicz, University of North Florida, two under 69