Golf

PLAYA DEL CARMEN, Mexico -- Katelyn Sepmoree of Tyler is tied for the lead after Wednesday's opening round of the American Junior Golf Association's Mayakoba Junior Golf Classic.

Sepmoree, who will be a senior at Robert E. Lee High School, carded an even-par 71 at the El Camaleà Golf Club. She is tied with Amelia Lewis of Jacksonville, Fla.

Carlos Ortiz of Zapopan, Mexico, tops the boys field with a 1-over 71.

Sepmoree, who has two AJGA top-five finishes this year, credited her even-par round to consistency. Her round included three birdies and three bogeys. The Tylerite said that all parts of her game were working well.

"I was just consistent today, not making too many mistakes and making a lot of pars," Sepmoree said. "Everything was working well for me today, I just need to stay consistent and keep it going."

Paola Valerio of Atizapan De Zaragoza, Mexico, and Portland Rosen of Sugar Land, are tied for third in the girls division, both at 2-over 73.

Hannah Arnold of Lufkin carded an 84 and is tied for 14th.

Behind Ortiz in second place is Seiji Liu of Bradenton, Fla., at 2-over 72. Alone in third is John Duke Hudson of Sonora, Texas, with a 3-over 73. Henry Todd of Trophy Club, Chris Contreras of San Antonio, Gabriel Frank of El Paso, and Jay Burlison of Salinas, Calif., are all tied for fourth at 4-over 74.

The field consists of 76 players, of which 27 are from Mexico. The rest come from eight U.S. states. El Camale Golf Club, home to the PGA Tour's Mayakoba Golf Classic, is being played as a 6,940 yard par-70 in the Boys Division and a 6,003 yard par-71 in the Girls Division.