Bullard Native Blake Elliott Leads After 18 Holes at the 54th M&P Group Texas State Open
TYLER, Texas (July 30) – Blake Elliott of Bullard, TX leads the 54th M&P Group Texas State Open after firing a first round 9-under-par, 61. Elliott started his round on the back nine with a two under par, 33 then proceeded to birdie seven holes on the front nine for a 28, on the 6,882 par 70 layout.
Elliott, who has been dealing with an injury since late March, is making his first start in nearly four months. “It’s nice, I’m just grateful to be out here and happy to be healthy,” said Elliott.
“It was good, my ball striking was good, the putter got heated up on my back nine. I was probably hitting it inside of 10-feet on most of the holes and making them.”
Tanner Napier of Paris, TX is one stroke off the lead after an 8-under-par, 62 start to the Championship
“I've been playing well. I had a couple weeks off, played up in Texarkana and just kept playing at home. I've been hitting the ball well and it carried over onto the course which is nice. Today I hardly missed any shots and chipped in on 18 for eagle, which was awesome,” said Napier.
The Championship features two additional divisions, Low PGA Professional and Low Amateur. Brandon Bingaman, PGA assistant professional at Gleneagles Country Club in Plano, TX, leads the PGA Professional Division at 7-under-par, 63.
“I just played it one shot at a time” Bingaman stated, “I haven't had the best record out here but today was all about keeping it cool and letting whatever happens; happen.”
Davis Miller (a) of Dallas, TX leads the Amateur Division at 6-under-par, 64.
The first round’s featured group comprised of Tony Romo (a) and Good Good’s Sean Walsh and Mason Greene. Romo (a) finished at 4-over-par, while Walsh and Greene shot 70 and 69 respectively.
“It was great! Tony got to the pinnacle of his sport and that’s my goal one day so getting to pick his brain was great,” said Greene about playing with the former Dallas Cowboys quarterback.
Walsh has played in the Championship several times, with a best finish of 3rd in 2020, said, “I love coming back here every year, it’s a great golf course and
the NTPGA does a fantastic job setting it up. As far as state opens go I think it’s the best payout of the year, it’s the most fair.”
The 54th M&P Group Texas State Open is a 72-hole stroke play event and consists of 156 professionals and amateurs who play 36-holes before a cut is made to the low 55 scores and ties. The field is made up of exempt players as well as successful qualifiers who compete for a purse of $200,000. The winner will take home $40,000.
This is M&P Group’s second year as the title sponsor and the Championship is presented by Joyce Crane and supported by Christus Trinity Mother Frances, Holiday Inn - Tyler Conference Center, Jucys Hamburgers and Patterson Tyler.
Cascades Country Club
Par: 35-35–70
Yardage: 6,882 yards
View Round One Results HERE
View Round Two Tee Times HERE
