Manatee High’s Gabrielle Tomeo in title picture after state golf first round

Manatee High junior Gabrielle Tomeo contemplated tossing her Scotty Cameron GoLo 5 putter for a new flat stick following last week’s Class 3A-Region 5 girls golf tournament.

But based on her previous successes, Tomeo stuck with her Texas wedge for Tuesday’s first round of the 3A state tournament at Mission Inn and Resort’s Las Colinas course in Howey-in-the-Hills.

“I gave it one more chance,” said Tomeo via phone.

And the move, despite some lip-outs on Tuesday, worked for Tomeo in recording four birdies en route to a 1-over par 73.

That leaves her tied for fifth place heading into Wednesday’s final round.

Parkland Stoneman Douglas’ Taylor Roberts leads with a 2-under 70.

“I’m pretty confident, I like to come from behind,” said Tomeo, who birdied Nos. 6, 12, 13 and 14 on Tuesday. “And make a statement.”

Tomeo added she needs to stay focused throughout the round.

“I chunked a couple shots, which I never do. That never happens to me. And I think that happened to me twice (Tuesday). So that right there is 2-under.”

Meanwhile, the Lakewood Ranch girls team is in ninth place after a 348 total. That’s 42 shots behind first-round leader Lake Mary.

Natalie Robson posted the best round for the Mustangs with an 85.

On the boys side at Mission Inn’s El Campeon course, Lakewood Ranch’s Drew Angelo recorded a 2-over par 74 and is four shots off the pace Jacksonville Mandarin’s Brandon Mancheno set in the first round.

The Mustangs are tied for ninth place following a 324 total. They are 23 shots behind leader Tampa Plant.

Louis DelFabro (79) was the only other Lakewood Ranch boys golfer to crack 80 on Tuesday.

This story was originally published October 25, 2016 at 5:47 PM with the headline "Manatee High’s Gabrielle Tomeo in title picture after state golf first round."