HUMACAO, Puerto Rico. – – Junior JJ Gregston turned in her best opening round of the season Tuesday, shooting -1 (71) to tie for the tournament lead after the first 18 holes of the Puerto Rico Iguana Invitational hosted by Ball State.

“JJ played a really good round of golf today,” head coach Cameron Andry said. “The wind was a significant challenge and she really controlled her golf ball. Her ball striking was excellent and she was really solid with the putter especially inside 5 feet.”

In her first tour of the Flamboyan Course at the Palmas Del Mar Golf Club, Gregston tied for the tournament lead with five total birdies, while playing the course’s four par-5s at a combined -4 (4.00). In fact, she birdied all four par-5s on Tuesday, while picking up her fifth birdie on the par-4, 357-yard 17th.
 
Her -1 (71) was her second-lowest round of the season, trailing only her -2 (70) in her second round of the Golfweek Put Me In Coach Invitational Oct. 6-7 at the Delaware Country Club.
 
Sophomore Sophie Korthuijs was second among Ball State’s team competitors and is currently tied for ninth overall at +3 (75). She collected three birdies on the 72-par, 6,161-yard course, while adding 10 pars.

“Sophie also played a solid round,” Andry said. “She probably played a little better than her score indicated. After that, we also had some solid play from the others with the exception of some big numbers that push those scores higher. We did play strong on the par-5s and tied for second among the field in birdies, but just recorded way too many big numbers to put together a good team score.”

Also earning a spot in the field of 45’s top 10 after the opening day of play was freshman Skylar Dean who is tied for ninth at +3 (75) playing as an individual. She carded two birdies and 11 pars in her first round. Meanwhile, Jenna Estravillo was BSU’s second-best individual of the day, tying for 14th at +4 (76) with 12 pars and one birdie.

“I was really pleased to see solid rounds from Skylar and Jenna,” Andry added. “I’m not surprised that both of them played solid golf today, they’ve both been working hard.”

As a team, the Cardinals are currently sixth among the eight-team field at +19 (307). However, BSU is only eight strokes back of tournament co-leaders Georgia State and Central Arkansas who are +11 (299).
 
Once again, Ball State excelled as a team on the par-5s, playing them at a combined -3 (4.85) which is second among the field. The Cardinals also lead the field with 48 total pars among team competitors.
 
The second round of the Puerto Rico Iguana Invitational will begin at 8:30 a.m. AT / 7:30 a.m. ET with another shotgun start. Ball State’s team players will start on holes 7-13, while its individuals will start on the final four holes.
 
BALL STATE TEAM RESULTS:
T1 – JJ Gregston: -1 (71)
T9 – Sophie Korthuijs: +3 (75)
T31 – Jasmine Driscoll: +7 (79)
41 – Sarah Gallagher: +10 (82)
44 – Sabrina Langerak: +13 (85)
T5 – Ball State: +19 (307)
 
BALL STATE INDIVIDUAL RESULTS:
T9 – Skylar Dean: +3 (75)
T14 – Jenna Estravillo: +4 (76)
T31 – Madelin Boyd: +7 (79)
43 – Madelyn Young: +12 (84)