Author: Author: Brady Bingham
MIDWAY — He’s only 15 years old, but Weber High School’s Connor Howe may have posted the best round in Utah State Championship golf history.
Howe, a sophomore, carded a sizzling 10-under 62 — which according to the Utah Section of the PGA’s initial records is a state tournament record — on Monday at Soldier Hollow on the Gold Course.
His score helped Weber move into a first-place tie with Lone Peak at 278 after the first round of the 5A Boys Golf Utah High School State Championships. Howe is an amazing five shots clear of Lone Peak’s Jake Livingston, who shot an impressive 5-under 67. Howe’s teammate Bridger Norris and Davis High’s Cole Ponich finished at 68.
“I hit three perfect shots on the first hole, so I knew it was going to be a good day,” Howe admitted. “After about 14 holes, I knew I was quite a bit under, so I was kind of hunting for a 59.”
After a birdie on the first hole, Howe posted six more birdies and two eagles — on the par 5 eighth hole and the par 5 11th hole. A bogey on 17 was Howe’s only blemish.
“I hit my driver perfect today,” Howe said. “Tomorrow I just want to do more of the same, maybe even post another 62.”
Syracuse sits third in the team race at 289, followed by Davis, Viewmont and Pleasant Grove at 293.
In 4A, East High School’s Hayden Banz carded a 5-under 67 on the Silver Course to lead all individual scores. His East teammates are in second place at 287 behind Timpview’s first-place 284. Timpview was led by brothers Josh Lillywhite, John Lillywhite and Spencer Lillywhite, who posted 68, 71 and 72 respectively.
Rhett Rasmussen, of Corner Canyon, is a stroke back of Banz at 68, despite what he said was an awful round.
“I was terrible,” Rasmussen said. “It’s like there is a glass cover on the hole for me right now. I’m hitting it great, I just can’t get it in the hole.”
Orem High School is in third place in the 4A team race at 288, followed by Woods Cross at 293, Wasatch at 295 and Olympus at 296.
Click here for Full Results and Round 2 Pairings.