Chattanooga's Griffin Law holds the lead entering Friday's final round of the Tennessee State Open
photo by Tennessee Golf Association
If the past two years are any indicator, it appears that a youth movement has taken up residence at the top of the leaderboard of the Tennessee State Open.
Jackson Herrington of Dickson became the first junior golfer to win this storied event last year a couple of months after his 18th birthday. The rising sophomore at the University of Tennessee opted out of defending his title this week, choosing to take some time off while dealing with a nagging injury that has plagued him since January.
However, another young bomber finds himself in the mix in the 76th playing of this event being staged on the Foxland Course at Gallatin’s Grasslands Club. Chattanooga’s Griffin Law posted the low round on Thursday of 7-under 64, moving to 9-under 133 to take the lead heading into Friday’s finale.
Law, who plays out of Council Fire Club and will be competing for his hometown University of Tennessee at Chattanooga as a freshman this fall, strung together four consecutive birdies on holes 12-15 after starting play on the back nine. He then birdied three out of four holes on his final nine to close his afternoon.
Law turns 19 on Saturday. so would be a tad older than Herrington when he won last year. But he would still represent the second straight junior golfer to turn the trick if he holds his lead on Friday. The former East Hamilton High School standout was also among those who advanced to final qualifying for the upcoming U.S. Amateur last week at Old Fort.
Two golfers occupy 2nd place at 8-under 134. Brentwood amateur Ryan Terry followed up his opening round 65 with a 2-under 69 on Thursday, while Franklin professional Harrison Ott who completed his second round of 67 with birdies on three of his last four holes.
Hunter Wolcott continued the success displayed earlier in the year when he claimed his first win on the PGA TOUR Americas. The Dickson native and 2023 Tennessee Open champion shot 65 to pull even with fellow former Vol Jake Hall at 7-under 135. Hall, the 2023 Tennessee State Amateur champion, carded a 69.
Hixson’s Hayden Hunneke is alone in 6th at 6-under 136, while five golfers are tied for 7th at 5-under 137. That quintet includes a pair of former champions in Nolan Ray of Spring Hill and amateur Jason Millard of Murfreesboro, along with Kymer Li of Nashville, Dalton Chuba of Hixson and Matthew Nuttall of Ooltewah.
With the cut landing at 3-over, 61 golfers will advance to Friday’s final round including past winners Brad Hawkins of Maynardville, Grant Leaver of Murfreesboro and Jonathan Fly of Memphis.
For complete results, go to Tennessee State Open.
Paul Payne can be emailed at paulpayne6249@gmail.com