BROOKINGS – Aberdeen Christian’s Jett Becker is tied for second following the opening day of the Class B State Boys’ Golf Tournament on Monday.

Becker fired a 77 and is tied with Blake Larson of Wessington Springs. Both are four shots behind leader Sam Hansen of Great Plains Lutheran.

Becker shook off a rough start to finish strong.

“He golfed really well,” said Christian coach David Rohrbach. “He had a pretty solid practice round Sunday and actually golfed even better today. Sitting in second place going into tomorrow, kind of right where you want to be.”

Becker birdied the opening hole before running into a little trouble and going to 4-over par. From there, he was rock solid.

“There was one hole where he straight flushed it in out of the sand. He eagled a par 5,” Rohrbach said. “He definitely had a couple of good holes.”

Rohrbach said Becker’s game matches up well with the state tournament course.

“I think his game works well for this course,” Rohrbach said. “He hits it pretty straight, which he needs to because some of the fairways are tighter.”

Becker can also hit the ball a ways, which helps on the par 5s, “because he’s longer off the tee,” Rohrbach said.

Rohrbach is happy that his senior is having a good state tournament after struggling a bit at past state events.

“We just really wanted him to put together a good state tournament,” Rohrbach said. “He’s been here so many times and maybe hasn’t golfed up to his potential. It’s really good to see him put it together so far.”

Rohrbach said the key for Becker when play resumes today is to play smart and stay away from bad holes.

“You can’t have a couple of (bad) holes if you’re really going to compete. There will be more pressure,” Rohrbach said. “You just have to be consistent. You can’t let one or two bad holes take you out of it.”

Zeke Becker shot a 94 in his first state tourney appearance.

“For his state tournament, not too bad. I thought he had a pretty solid day,” Rohrbach said. “Anytime you’re at a state tournament, especially if it’s your first time, whether you’re a senior or not, it’s a little different feel. I thought for him, doing it for the first time, he had a pretty good day.”

Bennett Cassens of Faulkton is tied for fourth with a 78, Luke Peterson of Ipswich is tied for seventh with a 79, and Tray Hettick of Herreid-Selby Area is tied for 11th with an 82.

Platte-Geddes owns a three-shot lead over Great Plains Lutheran in team points. Ipswich is tied for fourth.

In the Class B girls’ division, Estelline-Hendricks has a seven-stroke lead in team points over Bison.

Individually, Kaylee Johnson of Estelline-Hendricks and Greta Anderson of Bison each shot 80 and are tied for first. Jayce Pugh of Miller is third with an 83, Taylor Koisti of Hamlin is tied for eighth with an 89, and Jayda Sawinsky of Selby Area is tied for 10th with a 90.

To view the complete first day boys’ results click on the following link:

https://www.golfgenius.com/pages/7471027064284403531

To view the complete Class B girls’ results click on the following link:

https://www.golfgenius.com/pages/7471025960142264133