Maryville senior Leo Huddleston hits an approach shot Tuesday, July 29, 2025, at Three Ridges Golf Course during the first round of the 5Star Preps Masters presented by Brad Rose Golf. (Photo: Tanner Walker/5Star Preps)
BY JESSE SMITHEY
The 5Star Preps Masters might just be in its eighth year of existence, but that’s still old enough for history to be made.
Maryville senior Leo Huddleston shot a bogey-free, 6-under 66 Tuesday in the first round of the event, as he looks to be the first player to repeat as champion of the 5Star Preps Masters — male or female.
His 66 Tuesday at Three Ridges led Hardin Valley’s Conner Williams by two shots and Hardin Valley’s Jake Sheffield by four in the 90-player field.
Huddleston proved steady all day, hitting 17 of 18 greens in regulation.
Not having any hiccups in his opening round was key, Huddleston said.
“I didn’t make too many birdie putts, so not falling back was huge,” he said. “I was able to keep momentum throughout the round.”
Huddleston recently committed to play college golf at Freed-Hardeman University in West Tennessee.
He won the 2024 5Star Preps Masters in a weather-shortened, 54-hole event by three strokes and then went on to be an All-5Star Preps selection for his junior season.
This summer, Huddleston won the Tri-Star Match Play Championship on July 16-18, also at Three Ridges.
That momentum seemed to carry over into his round Tuesday.
After starting 2 under through seven holes, Huddleston carded an eagle on the par-5 12th to surge to the top of the leaderboard. He added birdies — from 3 feet and 10 feet, respectively — at the final two holes to further his advantage.
“Had two putts fall on the last two. Nice to see,” Huddleston said. “It gives me some confidence.”
Williams, playing in the group behind Huddleston, birdied four of his final seven holes Tuesday to stay in the hunt. His play, along with Sheffield’s, helped Hardin Valley take the team lead at 5-over 293. Eli Glenn (76) and Hunter Moussa (79) rounded out that 293 total for the Hawks.
Not far behind HVA are: First Baptist Academy (297), Farragut (298), CAK (301) and Halls (304) in the 16-team field.
The final round begins at 7:30 a.m. Wednesday at Three Ridges.
Getting a repeat win was a goal of Huddleston’s coming into this week.
“I knew I’ve played this course well, so I knew I had a chance,” he said. “If I can win it, it’d be amazing, especially if there hasn’t been a repeat winner before. To be the only one, that’d be really special.”
PAST CHAMPIONS — Bryson Morrell (Bearden, 2018), Nate Vaughan (Pigeon Forge, 2019), Ethan Whitaker (FBA/Hallls, 2020), Carson Kammann (West, 2021), Aidan Collier (North Greene, 2022), Collin Keino (Maryville Apostolic, 2023), Leo Huddleston (Maryville, 2024).
For ALL Boys Individual/Team Scores — CLICK HERE.
FINAL ROUND Tee Times — CLICK HERE.
DAY ONE PHOTO GALLERY — CLICK HERE.
GIRLS
The girls individual title competition could turn out to be a classic Wednesday.
CAK senior Isabella Coughlin and Catholic junior Teagan Walker both sit atop the Day One leaderboard at even-par 72.
Coughlin, who’s had a tremendous summer in big-time events, started 2 under through 11 holes Tuesday but bogeys at 14 and 17 held her round in check. Coughlin was an All-5Star Preps First Team choice in 2024 after helping CAK win a Division II-A state championship.
Just the opposite happened Tuesday for Walker, who played in the group behind Coughlin.
The 2024 All-5SP selection started 2 over through 11 but sank three birdie putts in her final stretch of holes to catch up with Coughlin.
Greeneville’s Kylee Renner (sophomore) and Kamryn Renner (sophomore) shot matching 73s to tie for third.
Those scores also gave Greeneville the Day One team lead at 6 over 150.
CAK is close behind at 153. Catholic was third at 159 in the nine-team field.
PAST CHAMPIONS — Madilyn Newman (L&N Stem, 2018), Lexanne Halama (Farragut, 2019), Kennedy Anne Noe (Catholic, 2020), Sydney Branson (Bearden, 2021), Parker Miller (Maryville, 2022), Lauren Davis (Halls, 2023), Brook Farmer (Gibbs, 2024).
For ALL Girls Individual/Team Scores — CLICK HERE.
FINAL ROUND Tee Times — CLICK HERE.
DAY ONE PHOTO GALLERY — CLICK HERE.
5STAR PREPS 2025 GOLF SEASON PREVIEW — presented by Brad Rose Golf