2022 Augusta National Women’s Amateur champion and 2022 Open Amateur champion sit atop a star-studded leaderboard

Click here for photos of the 2023 Junior Invitational. Please credit Matthew Harris/Junior Invitational.

GRANITEVILLE, S.C. (March 16, 2023) – The world’s best junior golf tournament is certainly living up to its reputation after the first day of play at the Sage Valley Golf Club. Anna Davis, the 2022 Augusta National Women’s Amateur winner, is the Girls leader after firing a first-round 70, and Aldrich Potgieter, who captured the 2022 Open Amateur Championship, is the Boys leader with a total of seven-under 65.

Davis, from Spring Valley, Calif., owns a two-shot lead over Nika Ito of Japan and Andrea Revuelta of Spain. Davis, who will play at Auburn University in the fall, carded five birdies in her first round, including one on 18 to push her lead to two shots.”

“I was hitting it really close most of the day,” said Davis. “I had a rocky start there for a second on the front nine, but I brought it back. I was hitting every fairway and every green, but my putting kind of let me down a little today. But other than that, it’s good.”

Potgieter, who will tee it up at the 2023 Masters thanks to his Open Amateur Championship win, torched the Sage Valley Golf Club in his first competitive round there, posting seven birdies and no bogeys in route to his opening-round 65. He has a six-shot lead heading into the second round over four players, including Preston Stout, the No. 1-ranked junior Boys player in the Golfweek.com junior golf rankings.

Potgieter’s 65 ties for the fourth-lowest round in the 12-year history of the event.

“I started off really good with four birdies on the first four holes,” said Potgiter. “I was hitting the ball solid all day, hitting most of the fairways. I’m looking forward to tomorrow.”

The second round of the tournament begins at 8:30 a.m. ET at the Sage Valley Golf Club. The event is open to the public, and admission is free.

Top Five Girls Results

1. Anna Davis – 70 (-2); T2. Nika Ito – 72 (E); T2. Andrea Revuelta – 72 (E); 4. Katie Li – 73 (+1); T5. Alice Ziyi Zhao – 74 (+2); T5. Bailey Shoemaker – 74 (+2).

Top Five Boys Results

1. Aldrich Potgieter – 65 (-7); 2. Preston Stout – 70 (-2); T3. Bryan Kim – 71 (-1); T3. Eric Lee – 71 (-1); T3. William Jennings – 71 (-1)