Killeen Leads the Joyce Crane | Veritex Bank Section Championship
Randolph and Shields Tied for Senior Division Lead
LEWISVILLE, Texas (September 15) – JJ Killeen, PGA general manager at SugarTree Golf Club, leads the Joyce Crane | Veritex Bank Section Championship after round one. Killeen shot an opening round 34-32–66, 6-under-par at the Lakes at Castle Hills.
Killeen started his round on the back-nine and got off to a hot start making four consecutive birdies beginning on the 11th hole. A bogey free front-nine helped bolster the great start.
“Today I hit it pretty well and had a good pairing. I made a few putts but also hit a lot of iron shots pretty close and made some easy birdies,” said Killeen. “Hopefully I can get it to click tomorrow too and do something good.”
Killeen looks to capture his third Section Championship title after claiming back-to-back titles in 2021 and 2022. This is the first time this year that Killeen has been in contention at an NTPGA Championship. “Just to be in any sort of contention for me this year is good.”
Tomorrow’s victor will earn an exemption into the PGA TOUR’s THE CJ CUP Byron Nelson. Fifteen professionals are within four strokes of Killeen’s lead. Brandon Bingman, PGA assistant professional at Gleneagles Country Club and Spencer Dillard, PGA head professional at Preston Trail Golf Club are the closest at 5-under-par.
In the Senior Division Sam Randolph, PGA instructor at Mira Vista Country Club and Rob Shields, PGA member at the Winsford Group lead at 4-under-par. They carded rounds of 33-35-68 and 35-33-68 respectively. The Senior Division totals 39 professionals ages 50 and over who are playing for a separate title and purse.
Shields spoke about his round and said, “It was a good round today. I took advantage of the par-5s and hit the ball pretty solid. I had a lot of fun and I’m grateful to be here.”
When asked what he needs to do tomorrow in order to win, Shields said, “I think it is going to take five, six, seven under-par to get it done.”
Nine professionals are within three strokes of their lead and are looking for the victory.
A new Northern Texas PGA record will be set this week with a $112,500 overall Championship purse.
This is the fifth-consecutive year where players are competing for a purse of $100,000 or more. The Open Division champion will earn $9,250 and the Senior Division champion will earn $4,500.
The final round will begin at 8 a.m. tomorrow with tee times off of the #1 and #10 tees. Senior Division players will tee off first, followed by the Open Division.
This 36-hole major championship is the final of four individual stroke play events that comprise the Yamaha Golf-Car Company | Srixon and Nike Player of the Year Points Challenge presented by Adventures In Golf. Also, it is the final opportunity for professionals to earn points to qualify for the Texas Joe Black Cup and Levy Cup teams.
The Joyce Crane | Veritex Bank Section Championship is presented by BlueGolf, Ewing Automotive Group, GT Golf Supply Co, PGA TOUR, StrackaLine, Strike Visuals, Super Mex Golf, and The CJ CUP Bryon Nelson.
The Lakes at Castle Hills
Par: 36-36-72
Open Division Yardage: 7,069 yards
Senior Division Yardage: 6,514 yards
View the Current Results
HERE
