Defending Champion Watkins Takes One-Stroke Lead at 56th M&P Group Texas State Open

TYLER, Texas (July 28) – Defending Champion, Matthew Watkins, of Rockwall, TX, leads the 56th M&P Group Texas State Open after an opening round 61. His 9-under-par, 31-30–61, gives him a one-stroke lead heading into the second round.

“I played this tournament a lot growing up and always wanted to win it, so having already won it is a big stress reliever for sure, but same thing as last year, just keep going,” said Watkins after his first round.

Watkins started off hot, making birdie on his first two holes. A three-putt from 18 feet on hole #3 led to his only bogey of the day. Birdies on holes 6, 7 and 8 guided him to a front nine 31 (4-under-par). Five more birdies on the back nine catapulted Watkins to the top of the leaderboard after the morning wave.

“My short game was insane. I made so many putts, too. I didn’t hit it my best, but the short game definitely stepped up,” Watkins stated.

The M&P Group Texas State Open hasn’t had a back-to-back champion in 20 years, when Kelly Grunewald completed the feat in 2005 and 2006. When asked about going back-to-back, Watkins said, “That would be pretty fun, just to prove my game is really good and trust in that to keep it going.”

Watkins will look to continue his hot start tomorrow. He goes off hole 10 at 1:42 p.m.

Kyle Hogan of Magnolia, TX, is in second after a bogey-free, 32-30–62. Hogan stayed steady throughout his front nine before a stretch of four birdies on holes 12-15. A birdie on hole 18 solidified Hogan’s second-place position.

“I was able to get through those first few holes, which can sneak up on you a little bit, so once you get through those and get to the par 5’s, you can start taking advantage. I made a couple of nice up-and-downs when I had to, and it happened to work out at the end,” Hogan said.

Hogan has played well in years past with three top 20 finishes in the last four years. He tees it up tomorrow at 1:24 p.m. off hole 10. 

In third place is Jared Strathe of Owasso, OK. An opening round 34-29–63 had Strathe climbing up the leaderboard late. Five birdies in his last six holes were the key to Strathe’s round. He was one of the few players with an afternoon tee time to keep up with the morning wave. “You see the low ones, so you know it’s out there, but it’s just go out and play, trust the process and see what happens,” he said.

Strathe has a 9:00 a.m. tee time off hole 10 tomorrow morning.

Eight players are tied for fourth at 5-under-par. This list includes two former champions, Shawn Stefani and Kyle Pritchard; three Northern Texas PGA Professionals, Brandon Bingaman, PGA Member; Gabe Reynolds, PGA director of instruction at Topgolf - Dallas; and Spencer Dillard, PGA head professional at Preston Trail Golf Club. Austin Wylie of Boerne, TX, Joseph Abella of Plano, TX, and Joey Herrera of Dallas, TX, round out the list.

Blake Elliott of Bullard, TX, and Seth Campbell of Tyler, TX, are at 1-under-par and sit highest on the leaderboard of the East Texas locals in the field. This is Elliott’s seventh appearance in the Championship, and he has made the cut each time, including three top-five finishes and a second-place finish last year. Campbell is making his first Texas State Open appearance.

Elliott goes off the 10th tee at 7:57 a.m. for the second round. Campbell tees off at 9:18 a.m. from number one.

There is a two-way tie atop the amateur leaderboard. Anniston McIlwain (a), of Bulverde, TX, and last year’s low amateur Grant Doggett (a), of Beach City, TX. The pair both shot 34-34–68. McIlwain (a) goes off number 10 at 12:39 p.m. and Doggett (a) will begin his second round at 1:51 p.m. off the tenth tee.

Round one had calm conditions with light winds. Tomorrow’s second round is expected to have high temperatures over 100 degrees and a south wind of 5-10 mph.

The 56th M&P Group Texas State Open is a 72-hole stroke play event with a field of 156 professionals and amateurs competing for a $200,000 purse. The field will be cut to the low 55 scores and ties after 36-holes. Currently, 71 players are at 1-under-par or better after round one. The champion, if a professional, will take home $40,000. The only amateur to win the Texas State Open was Homero Blancas in 1960. 

This is the M&P Group’s fourth year as the title sponsor, and the Championship is presented by Joyce Crane and Higginbotham and supported by CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances, Holiday Inn - Tyler Conference Center and Patterson Tyler. The championship is being played at Cascades Country Club for a record 15th time. 

Cascades Country Club

Par: 35-35–70

Yardage: 6,882 yards