HOT SPRINGS - Defending state champion Rainey Reynolds fired a 73 Monday to lead the Class A boys golf tournament by two strokes over last year's runner-up Ben Heller, of Aberdeen Roncalli, who shot a 75.
Reynolds, who is a senior at Sioux Falls Christian, distanced himself from the pack by hitting fairways consistently off the tee and his quality approach play.
"I scored alright, but my short game wasn't great, it was probably one of my worst putting days all season," said Reynolds, "It is hard to win tournaments if you're not putting well. But I hit the ball well off the tee and my approach game was good. I just have to stay focused and trust my game."
On a challenging Southern Hills Golf Course much of the field struggled on the back nine especially with putting, but Hot Springs eighth grader, P.J. Wetzel, was the surprise of the day shooting a 77, while firing a 37 on the back nine. Wetzel is currently in third place and will play in the top flight with Reynolds and Heller today.
"I wasn't putting well on the front, but on the back nine I really started putting well," said Wetzel. "And that's where the 37 came from. I'm just trying to keep down the nerves. It is going to be fun playing with those great players, but if I can strike the ball well and keep the ball in the short grass, good things will happen."
Sioux Falls Christian leads the team standings going into the final day of play today with a 312. Defending Class A champion Vermillion sits in second at 331, and Custer rounds out the top three with a score of 337.
Final round action begins today at 9 a.m. at Southern Hills Golf Course in Hot Springs.
