4A STATE: Cougars’ McInerney posts state-record 62

Defending champion Taylor Montgomery of Foothill used four birdies to shoot 3-under-par 68 on the first day of the Class 4A boys state golf meet.

All that did was leave him six shots behind the leader, alone in second place.

Coronado senior A.J. McInerney set an 18-hole postseason state record in relation to par by firing a 9-under 62 at TPC Las Vegas, powering the Cougars to a 371 total and the team lead at the tourney midpoint Monday.

The meet concludes today, with the first tee time at 12:10 p.m.

“I felt comfortable out there today,” said McInerney, who has signed to play for UNLV. “I’m happy to get a low one, and as a team, hopefully we can get it done tomorrow.”

McInerney’s round also tied the Nevada Interscholastic Activities Association record for fewest strokes in relation to par over 18 holes. Boulder City’s Dusty Craddock shot 9-under in a Class 3A regular-season meet, and Galena’s Matt Kissinger held the top mark by a 4A player with a 6-under 66 during a regular-season meet in 2003.

McInerney already has the state 36-hole record in relation to par with a 10-under 134 that won the 2010 individual title at TPC Las Vegas.

“I think we’ll be in a good position going into tomorrow as a team,” he said. “Hopefully, we can play well collectively, and just play our game, play Coronado golf. We’ll see what happens at the end, but I think that’s all we’ve got to worry about.”

The course record at TPC Las Vegas is 62 from the gold tees, according to GolfReports.com. The state meet was played from the blue tees, reducing the total yardage nearly 300 yards.

McInerney’s round was bogey-free, with an eagle on the par-5 fourth hole igniting a streak of birdies on the next four holes. On the eagle, McInerney fired his approach shot to within 3 feet. On the consecutive birdies, all four of his approaches landed within the length of the flag stick.

“I read it right on four, and was able to hit a good putt,” McInerney said. “Obviously making an eagle, that kind of jump-started the round.

“I had to hit it close, and I was able to make a few putts, which was really nice.”

Montgomery, who carded a 145 last year to win the individual state title in Reno, made birdies on Nos. 1, 5, 10 and 12, with his lone bogey coming on No. 16.

“I left a lot of opportunities out there,” Montgomery said. “I didn’t birdie one par-5.”

Spanish Springs’ Jordan Gilmore, who shot 74 while paired with Montgomery, made a hole-in-one on the 134-yard No. 12. Montgomery hit his tee shot to within 3 feet and sank the putt.

“I just need to take advantage of the par-5s tomorrow,” Montgomery said. “I could’ve shot at least three better, at 65, and then I’m right in there.”

Dillon Dudley was in third place after a 70 that helped second-place Palo Verde to a 389 total. Bishop Manogue is third with 397, followed by Foothill with 403.

Green Valley’s Blaise McComb is fourth with a 71. Arbor View’s Zane Thomas, Coronado’s Kenden Slattery and Shadow Ridge’s Ben Davis were tied with 72s.