Ethan Weinberg Shares Lead at Florida Open

First‑Round Leaders Tied at Six Under Par

University of West Florida sophomore Ethan Weinberg posted a 66‑stroke round at the Longboat Key Club Harbourside Course, earning two eagles and a stretch of five holes at 4‑under to sit at six under for the opening round of the 80th Florida Open. He shares the lead with two tour pros: Chase Haygood of Orlando and Patrick Ross of Delray Beach. Jonathan Yaun, representing Minneola, sits a single stroke behind with a 67, while former UNF assistant coach Tyler Gulliksen trails by two strokes after a 68. All five golfers competed on the Harbourside layout.

Standout Scores and Highlights

Haygood, a former UCF player, remained bogey‑free and closed with birdies on the 17th and 18th holes. Ross managed just one bogey and also birdied the final two holes. Weinberg offset two bogeys with eagles on holes eight and fifteen.

Andrew McLauchlan of Neptune Beach, who played college golf at Wake Forest and Florida State, posted a 69 (−3) to lead the First Coast contingent and finish tied for ninth. Former UNF Ospreys Kevin Aylwin, Andrew Riley and Sean Dale are tied for 14th at 2‑under each.

Other Notable Performances

David Palm, a Glen Kernan pro staff member, briefly held the outright lead at 4‑under after the first seven holes on the Links Course but faltered with a 4‑over stretch over the final ten, finishing even‑par 71 and tied for 28th. Defending champion J.C. Deacon, the University of Florida golf coach and three‑time event winner, shot a 72 on the Links Course, leaving him tied for 40th place.

Final Round Format

Contestants will swap courses for the second round on July 18, with the field of the lowest 60 scores plus any ties set to compete on the Harbourside Course for the final round on July 19.