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CORTLAND, N.Y. – Syracuse standout Brayden Thomas was the only player to break par during the opening round of the 2026 NYS Boys’ 14U Amateur Championship at Cortland Country Club.

Related: Scoring / Photos / Preview / Championship Central

The Drumlins Golf Club member and Team New Yorker, opened with 3-under 69 including six birdies on the scorecard and three bogeys.

It is no suprise that the 14-year-old, who successfully qualified for the Men’s Amateur earlier this summer and was the youngest player in the field, is leading the pack after 18 holes.

"This is definitely the bucket list tournament to win this year. My goal was to come in under par for both days. Just have to take it step by step and work on tomorrow," said the DeWitt resident.

In his two previous attempts at the 14U title, he finished in third (2025) and eighth (2024). "Taking deep breaths, trusting the swing and the process and don't try to look to far ahead."

Behind him sits his playing partner today, Forbes Zhou (Youth on Course – MGA), who shot even par on the 6,000-yard setup for the boys.

Forbes started the back side with a bogey and double bogey, before making an eagle on 12 to give him some much-needed momentum.

Three players are currently tied at 1-over par including Justin Jang (Paramount CC), Dylan Suchak (Transit Valley Country Club) and Collin Helmer (Cazenovia CC).

Zachary Hirsch (Youth on Course – MGA) sits at 3-over par, while two more, Daniel Kim (MGA eClub – Long Island) and Garrett Learn (MET PGA Junior GC) finished at 5-over.

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In the Girls’ 14U’ Championship, Taerin Lee from Youth On Course – MGA notched the early low score with a 1-over par 73.

The 13-year-old from Jericho, won the MGA’s Women’s Public Links Championship earlier this summer. She also finished third at the NYS High School Federation Golf Championships at Bethpage’s Red Course.

"I just want to have fun... I want to have that mindset and walk on the course and learn a lot. I had four straight birdies, so that was pretty nice," said the 13-year-old leader. Referring to her string of scoring from holes 9-12.

Four strokes back sit three players: recent Syracuse District Girls’ Junior Classic winner Elliana Kent of Timber Banks GC & Marina, Xiaoyan (Lele) Liu and Nina Dahl, both of Youth on Course – MGA, at 5-over par.

Sisters Reese and Reagan Paolini (Irondequoit CC) shot 10-over and 12-over, respectively.

The course set up at just over 5,500 yards for the girls field.