McInerney, Coronado in position for prep golf victories

RENO -- Golf is a game of adjustments. Coronado's A.J. McInerney knows that.

The defending Class 4A state champion struggled through a lingering back injury and some unfamiliar green speeds to shoot 1-under-par 71 during the first day of the state golf tournament at Hidden Valley Country Club.

McInerney was one stroke behind Bishop Manogue's Kevin Andrews going into today's final round, which begins at 9:15 a.m.

McInerney breezed to victory last year as a sophomore. He shot a two-day total of 134 and won the tournament by 11 strokes.

This year's tournament won't be as easy.

"He's struggling, but A.J. is the kind of guy who will come back the next day better than anyone else because he will make the necessary adjustments," Coronado coach Joe Sawaia said.

Coronado, the defending champion, is the team leader going into the final day with a score of 382. Foothill is second at 398 and Reno third at 401.

The state tournament is only McInerney's second event since he began having back issues about two months ago. McInerney sat out for more than a month and did not return until the Sunrise Region tournament last week, finishing second with a pair of 71s.

Foothill's Taylor Montgomery, who won the Sunrise Region tournament, shot 73 on Monday. Also in the mix is Spanish Springs' Jordan Gilmore (72) and Arbor View's Zane Thomas (72).

McInerney shot par 36 on the front nine but ran into trouble by three-putting the 14th hole.

"I knew the double (bogey) on 14 would hurt a bit," said McInerney, who has committed to play at UNLV. "I knew I had to bounce back after that."

McInerney came back with consecutive birdies. Even with the back issues, McInerney regularly outdrove his competition. His drive on the 16th hole soared nearly 350 yards, setting up an easy birdie opportunity after a short chip.

But hitting off the tee wasn't the issue for most golfers in Reno on Monday.

"We misread so many puts," said McQueen senior Marshall Roenigk, who shot 78. "I simply can't explain the greens."

Sawaia said the green conditions were even more unfamiliar for Las Vegas golfers, who are used to bent grass greens, not Poa annua greens, which have more strands of grass and tend to be more bumpy.

"It's something we should have planned for more," Sawaia said. "I'm confident we will make adjustments for it and come out more prepared (today)."