Josele Ballester One Shot Back in Las Vegas

Junior Josele Ballester shot a 5-under 67 to lead the fourth-ranked Sun Devil men's golf team in the first round of the Southern Highlands Collegiate Tournament in Las Vegas on Sunday.

Ballester, ranked No. 17 in the World Amateur Golf Rankings, had seven birdies and is just one shot off the lead. In his past six rounds he is 28-under par with a 67.33 stroke average. Michael Mjaaseth is at 3-under 69 playing as an individual.
 
JOSELE BALLESTER PAST SIX ROUNDS
5-under 67 first round of Southern Highlands/Feb. 25
3-under 69 third round of Amer Ari Invitational/Feb. 10
6-under 66 second round of Amer Ari Invitational/Feb. 9
5-under 67 first round of Amer Ari Invitational/Feb. 8
6-under 66 third round of National Invitational/Jan. 30
3-under 69 second round of National Invitational/Jan. 29
 
PGA TOUR EXEMPTION
The individual champion will receive an exemption into the Shriners Children's Open, which will take place Oct. 14-20, 2024, at TPC Summerlin in Las Vegas.
 
SOUTHERN HIGHLANDS COLLEGIATE
FEB. 25-27, 2024
SOUTHERN HIGHLANDS GOLF CLUB (PAR 72/7,510 YARDS)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA
TEAMS (15)
Florida 278/-10
Illinois 280/-8
San Diego State 282/-6
Texas A&M 282/-6
Pepperdine 282/-6
North Carolina 283/-5
Oklahoma 284/-4
Texas 284/-4
New Mexico 286/-3
Auburn 287/-1
Arizona State 287/-1
Missouri 290/+2
UNLV 291/+3
TCU 292/+4
Georgia 297/+9
 
SUN DEVIL INDIVIDUALS AND LEADER (84 PLAYERS)
Jack Lundin (Missouri) 66/-6
Josele Ballester 67/-5
Michael Mjaaseth (I) 69/-3
Ryggs Johnston 72/E
Luke Potter, 73/+1
Wenyi Ding 75/+3
Preston Summerhays 75/+3