Wild Start in New Mexico

2025 Selinske U.S Masters - Day 1 Recap

Friday, May 9, 2025 - 01:54

It was a wild start to the 2025 PDGA Tim Selinske U.S. Masters Championships presented by Innova.

Over 400 players across 26 divisions hit the courses to kick off the third PDGA Major of 2025 on Thursday — battling the scenic but challenging courses, talent-laden fields, and mother nature, which caused a few quick disruptions to the action.

Full Leaderboads on PDGA Live >>

Out of the 26 divisions, there are four divisions with co-leaders, 10 divisions where the lead is just one shot, and eight more where the lead is fewer than three strokes.

Here's a look at some of the action at New Mexico's first PDGA Major:

In MP40, five players hit double digits at Moon Mountain, led by Cale Leiviska and Pete Ulibarri, who sit tied at the top at 11-under. Leiviska snagged two eagles on the round, including hole 16 in a 4-under run over the final three holes. Ulibarri also did his work on the back nine, going 8-under. Daniel Polk and Paul Oman will round out the lead card at 10-under, tied with Martin Hendel. In total, 12 players are within four strokes of the lead.
Jennifer Allen overcame a slow start in FP40 and finished clean on the back nine for a 4-under round at Moon Mountain and a three-stroke lead. Sandra Richardson and Sammie Jo Guerrero are tied in second at 1-under and Lisa Fajkus will round out the lead card at plus-1 as action shifts to Oso Canyon.
Vinnie Miller and Graham Garlick are tied for the lead in MP60 after 4-under opening rounds at Grindstone Longs. Their lead is just a single stroke over Jim Oates and Laymon Gray.
Harvey Brandt and Jay Gobrecht have a two-stroke lead in MP70.
There's a three-way tie in MA50 between Ron Sanders, Erik Tribelhorn and Jimmy Archer. Four players are just one stroke back and six more are within four strokes of the lead.
In FP50, Juliana Korver pulled ahead lead over Margaret Patterson after the two battled throughout the day at Alto Lake.
Other leaders with just one stroke include: Michael Ynfante (MP55 over Hank Kirwan), Eric Rainey (MP65 over Ted Moens), Dr. Rick Voakes (MP75 over Ron Engebretson), Justin Liddell (MA40 over Shawn Barnett), Stefani McCowan (FA40 over Janae Chaney), and Lee Reading (MA75 over Rob Lee and Gene Kouba).