Jack Ireland Surges to a Two Shot Lead After Three Rounds at The 51st Higginbotham Texas State Open

Tyler, Texas - After 26 and a half holes of golf Thursday, Jack Ireland now leads the 51st Higginbotham Texas State Open. He will carry a two shot lead into the final round that will begin Friday morning.

After inclement weather halted play on Wednesday at 2:20 p.m. during the second round, play was able to re-commence at 8:00 a.m. this morning. At the conclusion of 36-holes, 63 players survived the 2-under-par cut line, including 11 amateurs and 52 professionals.

Ireland, of The Woodlands, Texas opened with a score of 63 and fired consecutive rounds of 6-under-par 64 to take a two shot lead over Dillon Board. 

“Kind of a crazy start getting back out and teeing off late in the same day. I went back home and took a nap so I was kinda thrown off.” Ireland continues, “I got it going a little sideways on number one, but then chipped in and was able to find my feet and had a good front 9 and keep it going on the back.” 

Ireland spent his collegiate days playing for Cal State Fullerton and UCLA and has been playing as a professional for roughly two years now. 

Ireland said after the round, “I saw a lot of improvement right when I turned pro. I got a lot better at certain things. I have been able to grow and get better as a person and it’s paid off so now I play good golf.” 

Ireland is two shots ahead of Dillon Board, who was the 36-hole leader. Board currently sits in solo second place after rounds of 62-64-67 and is 17-under-par. 

Matthew Watkins (a) of Heath, Texas, continued his consistent play, firing a 4-under-par 66 in the third round. He sits in a tie for low amateur honors at 11-under-par total, 67-66-66-199. Watkins is a rising sophomore at the University of New Mexico. 

“The back nine was slow. I was hitting it to 30 feet, and missed a few greens, but on hole 14 that’s where I got it back. I birdied that one and on the drivable par 4 15th hole I chipped in for an eagle,” said Watkins.

Watkins is tied with Paul Gonzalez (a) of Waxahachie, Texas,  who jumped back to sharing the top of the amtateur leaderboard after signing for a score of 3-under-par, 67 card. Gonzalez will be entering his senior year at the University of Texas at Arlington. 

“I feel good. I think today I came out a lot less nervous than yesterday, which kinda let me be more free on the course and so I wasn’t afraid to go at a few more pins today,” said Gonzalez. 

Watkins and Gonzalez are both former NTPGA Junior Tour members and enjoyed a lot of success in their junior careers. The two will battle it out tomorrow in the 9:12 a.m. pairing off of the first hole.

Play for the final round of the 51st Higginbotham Texas State Open will begin at 8:00 a.m. Friday morning and groups will start on the 1st and 10th holes. The decision to move to a double tee was made by officials due to a heat advisory that will be in effect combined with a chance of afternoon thunderstorms. 

The Low PGA Club Professional at the conclusion of play will be recognized and awarded a silver trophy. Two PGA club professionals made it through the cut. Nic Ishee,

PGA Assistant Golf Professional at Preston Trail Golf Club, currently leads this division at 3-under-par. Josh Havard, PGA Head Professional at Rolling Hills Country Club is one shot behind at 2-under-par.

The 51st Higginbotham Texas State Open is a 72-hole stroke play event consisting of 123 professionals and 33 amateurs competing for a Texas State Open record purse of $210,000 with the winner taking home $42,500. All four rounds will be contested at The Cascades Club from Tuesday, July 27 through Friday, July 30.

View the current leaderboard HERE