Future Tiger Byrd looking to continue family's Aiken County success at Sage Valley
Mar. 20—GRANITEVILLE — Jackson Byrd knows his game is good enough to win the Junior Invitational at Sage Valley.
He has the speed and strength to create scoring opportunities. He has the experience, both at Sage Valley and on the international stage, to get the job done at the highest level. He has the pedigree, coming from one of the state's foremost golfing families.
All he has left to do is win a gold jacket.
That's the goal this week for Byrd, a Clemson-bound senior making his third and final appearance at the Junior Invitational. He was confident in his game leading up to the tournament, and he backed that up in the first round with a 1-under 71.
"It's my third time here, so I feel like kind of a veteran," he said. "I feel pretty comfortable this week. I've just been trying to get ready physically and then mentally, today, kind of get ready for the round. I feel like my game's good enough to win, so just trying to get into a good headspace and enjoy the week."
Byrd, ranked fourth in the American Junior Golf Association's Rolex Junior rankings, picked up a marquee win back in October at the PING Invitational that was his best finish since a tie for third at the RLX Ralph Lauren Junior Classic back in June.
Before that? A tie for sixth at last year's Junior Invitational.
His scoring average at Sage Valley coming into the week was 72.5, a number inflated by a couple of loose rounds in his 2023 debut. Last year he shot par or better in all three rounds, and he started this year's edition ready to continue that trajectory.
"I think I'm hitting it really good off the tee. I hit it pretty far and straight, so I feel like I'm going to try and rely on that," he said. "I feel like my ball-striking is pretty good, so just dial in the speeds of the greens and give myself some looks and try not to make any dumb mistakes and see what I can do."
He avoided those mistakes in round one, making just two bogeys on a tough scoring day before beginning Thursday's second round in attack mode at a rain-softened Sage Valley.
A senior at Frederica Academy on St. Simons Island, Georgia, Byrd is no stranger to the Aiken area. He's played well in the past at the Southern Cross at Palmetto Golf Club, most notably finishing in a tie for sixth back in 2022. His father Jonathan is the only player to have won the Southern Cross three times, doing so consecutively from 1994-96 before embarking on a pro career that included five PGA Tour victories, and his uncle — and future coach — Jordan last week led Clemson to the team title at the Cleveland Golf Palmetto Intercollegiate.
A win this week, though, against the best field in junior golf would give Jackson some big-time family bragging rights.
"This is a great spot. It's definitely my favorite junior event I've played in, so just trying to soak it all in one more time," he said. "I'm going to school close to here, so it's kind of cool. It's just a special week."
In addition to individual success, he's been chosen for several teams to compete in national and international events — like the Wyndham Cup near Charleston, the Toyota Cup in Japan, the Junior Ryder Cup in Italy and the Junior Presidents Cup in Canada. Team golf is a part of the game he enjoys, and he's looking forward to continuing it at the collegiate level.
"I think probably just having a team of guys around you that want the best for you and are practicing with you," he said. "Golf can kind of be lonely sometimes when you're practicing by yourself, so that's the biggest thing. Just having a group of friends and a group of guys that you can practice with and grow with outside of the golf course. Definitely the team aspect."
That will have to wait for the fall, though. This week is about competing against — and trying to beat — the best of the best, even with this being one of the few stops on the junior golf circuit where the players stay on site and get to relax and be friends as soon as they step off the course.
"When you're preparing for a round or preparing for a practice round, it's kind of more serious but you're still with your buddies and you're having fun," Byrd explained. "Then after the round you can kind of let loose. We're obviously staying together — our whole cabin this week has played the Junior Presidents Cup. We know each other really well. We're all Americans. It's pretty special to know these guys really well and get to spend a week with them, so that's awesome."
Topics
-
Top-ranked Talley ready to defend title at Junior Invitational at Sage Valley
Mar. 18—GRANITEVILLE — There may have been some nerves for Asterisk Talley last spring at Sage Valley Golf Club, but not outwardly so for the then-15-year-old. Seemingly unbothered by any potential ...Yahoo Sports - 2d -
Clemente no stranger to elite-level competition at Sage Valley, Augusta National
Mar. 19—GRANITEVILLE — Gianna Clemente is no stranger to the highest levels of junior and amateur golf. The 16-year-old Floridian burst onto the scene as a 14-year-old by Monday qualifying into ...Yahoo Sports - 1d -
Byrd gets first ECU hit 3 years after amputation
East Carolina's Parker Byrd, whose right leg was amputated below the knee after a boating accident three years ago, got his first hit as a college player when he singled in the Pirates' 12-0 win ...ESPN - 5d -
ECU's Parker Byrd, first Division I player with prosthetic leg, records first career hit vs. William & Mary
Byrd made history last year, and he got his first hit on FridayCBS Sports - 6d -
Beaver Valley boys high school volleyball: Which area team has been shot at making playoffs?
With the WPIAL boys high school volleyball season getting underway, here is a look at the Beaver Valley teams set to compete this season.Yahoo Sports - 4d -
Lando Norris knows there are ‘no excuses’ now – he has to win 2025 F1 title
NEW F1 SEASON: Now or never? Norris fell short of Max Verstappen last year but, as Kieran Jackson explains, the British star must make it count this year, even with teammate Oscar Piastri chomping ...Yahoo Sports - 5d -
Virgil van Dijk has ‘no idea’ if he will still be a Liverpool player next season
Captain says no decision has been made on his future Van Dijk: ‘If anyone says they know, they are lying’ Virgil van Dijk has said he has “no idea” whether he will be a Liverpool player next ...The Guardian - Mar. 12 -
East Carolina baseball player whose leg was amputated below knee records his first career hit
East Carolina's Parker Byrd, whose right leg was amputated below the knee after a boating accident three years ago, got his first hit as a college player when he singled in the Pirates' 12-0 win ...Yahoo Sports - 6d -
Sauk Valley Athlete of the Week: Newman's Briar Ivey
Mar. 14—Name: Briar Ivey School: Newman Central Catholic Sport: Wrestling Year: Senior Why he was selected: He was the state runner-up at 157 pounds in Class 1A after winning the Oregon Sectional ...Yahoo Sports - Mar. 14
More from Yahoo Sports
-
Ohio State women's basketball vs Montana State in NCAA Tournament first round
It's Ohio State women's basketball vs Montana State in the first round of March Madness. Follow for scores, NCAA Tournament updates from the game.Yahoo Sports - 41m -
Viktor Hovland contending at the Valspar Championship after (another) coaching change
Two weeks ago, Hovland announced a switch back to Grant Waite, insisting he's trying to "get to the bottom" of his slump.Yahoo Sports - 43m -
Auburn basketball vs Creighton: Who has edge in 2025 NCAA Tournament second round?
It’s Auburn Tigers vs. Creighton Blue Jays in the March Madness bracket. Here’s our prediction, pick for the 2025 NCAA Tournament basketball game.Yahoo Sports - 44m -
Georgia Amoore scores 34 points and Kentucky holds off charge by Liberty for 79-78 March Madness win
Georgia Amoore scored 34 points, including three free throws in the final 10 seconds for fourth-seeded Kentucky, which nearly blew a 17-point fourth-quarter lead but held on for a 79-78 victory ...Yahoo Sports - 44m -
Mexican club Leon banned from FIFA Club World Cup
Club Leon from Mexico were incensed Friday after they were banned from the June-July Club World Cup in the United States for violating rules on multi-ownership, FIFA announced Friday. A FIFA ...Yahoo Sports - 48m
More in Sports
-
Ohio State women's basketball vs Montana State in NCAA Tournament first round
It's Ohio State women's basketball vs Montana State in the first round of March Madness. Follow for scores, NCAA Tournament updates from the game.Yahoo Sports - 41m -
Poch after loss: Wearing U.S. shirt 'not enough'
Mauricio Pochettino was left visibly frustrated after the USMNT's shock 1-0 defeat to Panama in the Concacaf Nations League, bluntly telling his players it was not enough to just simply show up in ...ESPN - 41m -
Skenes' 1-of-1 rookie card fetches record $1.11M
Pirates pitcher Paul Skenes' 2024 Topps Chrome Update MLB debut patch autograph card sold for a stunning $1.11 million, including buyer's premium.ESPN - 41m -
Bronny has season-high 17 points in Lakers' loss
Bronny James scored a season-high 17 points on 7-for-10 shooting and added five assists, three rebounds and a block in 30 minutes of playing time against the Bucks.ESPN - 41m -
Wood carded for signing autographs in NZ win
Chris Wood picked up a yellow card for signing autographs and taking pictures with fans during New Zealand's win over Fiji in their World Cup qualifier on Thursday.ESPN - 41m