AURORA – The Classical Academy freshman Liam O’Halloran might have well rolled in a birdie when he two-putted from 60 feet to save double bogey on his first hole Monday.

“That definitely got my confidence up that I could putt well today,” he said.

Soon after he found the rest of his game, too.

O’Halloran carded a 2-over 74 and finished two shots back of the lead on day one of the Class 3A golf tournament at Saddle Rock Golf Course. His teammate, Bobby Ball, shot an 86.

Heading into the final round Tuesday, Kent Denver’s Oliver Jack leads the field at 72. Behind him are three golfers tied at 73 and two at 74.

“I have no expectations for tomorrow,” said O’Halloran, who will start his round at 10:48 a.m. “My mentality is the same as the first round. Just keep the ball in play and go make the best of it.”

O’Halloran kept the mood light Monday. From marveling over a few of his partners’ shots to engaging them in small conversation between holes, the freshman seemed comfortable on the big stage.

His coaches say it’s the kind of demeanor that should benefit him over his final 18 holes.

“We’ve always told our players the difference between tournament play and weekend play is like tennis and hockey,” TCA coach Bob Gravelle said. “Liam is tournament tough. He’s very even-keeled and never gets upset.”

And that’s even when things looked bleak.

With his opening drive of the round slicing out of play on par-4 No. 10, O’Halloran prevented further damage as he rolled a crazy-long chance within three feet and finished with a double bogey.

“At regionals my first hole was a three-putt and the two tournaments before were too,” O’Halloran said. “I was just trying to two-putt on that first hole no matter what I got on the green in.

“I was pretty excited about it.”

The freshman had 15 pars and a birdie over his next 16 holes to get within one stroke of the leader. He finished two back when he bogeyed par-4 No. 9.

“I’ve been expecting him to shoot this well during our season,” Gravelle said. “He has shot this low during practice rounds, so I’m not surprised. I think he’ll handle (Tuesday) very well.”

Elsewhere, Manitou Springs’ Lucas Culver shot an 87 but left the round disappointed after triple bogeying his final hole.

A rough hole here, a rough hole there, would be a theme for the Mustangs, the only area team to qualify in 3A. They finished 70-over 286 and are in 13th.

“This isn’t a game you can beat yourself up and we did that a couple times today,” Manitou Springs coach Ken Vecchio said. “Once you hit it, it’s gone. Golf isn’t like any other sports, you can’t have a hustle play to make up for it or anything like that. You got to get ready and go hit the next shot.”

Stephen Sabish shot a 92 and Jack Velten penciled a 99 for St. Mary’s.

Kent Denver and Peak to Peak are tied for the lead at 225.

AURORA – The Classical Academy freshman Liam O’Halloran might have well rolled in a birdie when he two-putted from 60 feet to save double bogey on his first hole Monday.

“That definitely got my confidence up that I could putt well today,” he said.

Soon after he found the rest of his game, too.

O’Halloran carded a 2-over 74 and finished two shots back of the lead on day one of the Class 3A golf tournament at Saddle Rock Golf Course. His teammate, Bobby Ball, shot an 86.

Heading into the final round Tuesday, Kent Denver’s Oliver Jack leads the field at 72. Behind him are three golfers tied at 73 and two at 74.

“I have no expectations for tomorrow,” said O’Halloran, who will start his round at 10:48 a.m. “My mentality is the same as the first round. Just keep the ball in play and go make the best of it.”

O’Halloran kept the mood light Monday. From marveling over a few of his partners’ shots to engaging them in small conversation between holes, the freshman seemed comfortable on the big stage.

His coaches say it’s the kind of demeanor that should benefit him over his final 18 holes.

“We’ve always told our players the difference between tournament play and weekend play is like tennis and hockey,” TCA coach Bob Gravelle said. “Liam is tournament tough. He’s very even-keeled and never gets upset.”

And that’s even when things looked bleak.

With his opening drive of the round slicing out of play on par-4 No. 10, O’Halloran prevented further damage as he rolled a crazy-long chance within three feet and finished with a double bogey.

“At regionals my first hole was a three-putt and the two tournaments before were too,” O’Halloran said. “I was just trying to two-putt on that first hole no matter what I got on the green in.

“I was pretty excited about it.”

The freshman had 15 pars and a birdie over his next 16 holes to get within one stroke of the leader. He finished two back when he bogeyed par-4 No. 9.

“I’ve been expecting him to shoot this well during our season,” Gravelle said. “He has shot this low during practice rounds, so I’m not surprised. I think he’ll handle (Tuesday) very well.”

Elsewhere, Manitou Springs’ Lucas Culver shot an 87 but left the round disappointed after triple bogeying his final hole.

A rough hole here, a rough hole there, would be a theme for the Mustangs, the only area team to qualify in 3A. They finished 70-over 286 and are in 13th.

“This isn’t a game you can beat yourself up and we did that a couple times today,” Manitou Springs coach Ken Vecchio said. “Once you hit it, it’s gone. Golf isn’t like any other sports, you can’t have a hustle play to make up for it or anything like that. You got to get ready and go hit the next shot.”

Stephen Sabish shot a 92 and Jack Velten penciled a 99 for St. Mary’s.

Kent Denver and Peak to Peak are tied for the lead at 225.