Former AAA State Champion Tommy Evans leads WV Jr AM after day one

Davis - The opening round of the 2025 West Virginia Junior Amateur Championship is in the books and the last two Class AAA state champions hold down the top two spots at the Canaan Valley Resort.

Rising-junior Tommy Evans from Washington High School, who won the 2023 state title made nine birdies against just one bogey to shoot 64 (8-under) and lead second place Jack Michael by four shots.

Michael is the 2024 state champion and will be playing golf in the fall for West Virginia University. The Cabell Midland graduate was steady making five birdies and one bogey to shoot 68 (4-under).

Graham High School state champion, Cart Hinkle, and Greenbrier East all-stater Isaac Hutchison lead the southern contingent.

Hinkle carded four birdies and two bogeys to shoot 70 (2-under), while Hutchison had three birdies and two bogeys for a round of 71 (1-under).

Shady Spring AA state individual runner-up Tyler Beard is tied with four players in ninth place after shooting 73 (1-over) on his opening round.

Montcalm High School standout Rocky Frye shot 74 (2-over) and Beard's AA state champion teammate Cooper Ward had a 75 (3-over).

After a really rough start to his round, going 6-over par on the first nine holes, Ward rallied on the final nine holes to shoot 3-under par.

Woodrow Wilson standout Tyler Stover had a 76 (4-over) and junior golf sensation Malachi Flohr had a 78 (6-over).

Justus Mann (-3) from Champanville is in third-place, followed by Isaac Hayes (Hurricane) who is one back, tied with Hinkle.

Stephen McDavid (Winfield) is tied with Hutchison in sixth-place and Charleston Catholic all-stater Will Gruse sits alone in eighth-place at even par.

Grant Roush (Wahama), Alexander Randolph (Bridgeport), William Johnson (George Washington) and Cam Fallon (Parkersburg South) are all tied with Beard in ninth-place.

The Junior Amateur is a three-day event with round two contested Wednesday and the final round Thursday.

In the Girls Championship Division, Lexi Green of Charleston leads the field at seven over par 79. Chastyn Viars of South Charleston is one stroke back at eight over par, followed by McKenzie Armstrong of Belmont in third with an 81.

Alana Hamaty of Bluefield and Audrey Kerr of Bridgeport are tied for fourth at 84.

Ayden Pavlik of Beckley is leading the boys 13-14 division at 74, while Valentina Aguilar of Elkins is leading the girls 10-14 division. Graydi Flohr of Daniels is leading the boys 12 and under division at 83.