This story, photo courtesy of the Epson Tour

HARRIS---It was a good day to be a University of Southern California alum. Two, Amari Avery and Christine Wang, found themselves with a share of the lead Fridayt at the Island Resort Championship after 18 holes.

Avery set the number early in the day, carding a 5-under round that consisted of two eagles, two birdies, and a bogey. The eagles came on Nos. 9 and No. 18, closing out both nines on a positive note. The 21-year-old took advantage of three of the four par-fives, boosting her into the solo lead when the morning wave concluded.

"It was a very interesting round. I started with, I think, eight pars to start the round, and I had some close looks coming in," said Avery. "I was just wondering when the putts were going to drop, and then I got to nine. I was like, 'I'm just going to be bold, and I'm going to go for the green,' and ended up chipping it in. So I was like, 'Maybe I'm better with the wedge.' And then I made a couple of birdies after that. I just got some good momentum and then decided to go for 18 as well. It paid off. I luckily hit the green and hit a really good putt."

When the California native sank her final putt on the par-5 18th, the spectators in the grandstands went wild for the leader, who walked off the final green with a big smile spread across her face.

"It was nice to hear their very nice roars and cheers. It's nice to have the support of the community here, and we definitely feel the love."

Wang's low round came later in the day, chasing down her friend and former teammate, Avery's, top spot on the leaderboard. While most athletes don't like to peek at the leaderboard during competition, the 23-year-old finds it a motivator, and it paid off on Friday at Sweetgrass Golf Club.

"After nine, I looked at the leaderboards. That never has bothered me," said Wang. "So, after nine, I looked at it, and one of my best friends, Amari (Avery), was in the morning group, and she shot 5-under, and I was like, 'Oh, I'm coming for you.' So I think that was in the back of my head. It was a good motivator."

Wang carded six birdies and one bogey on the day, citing ball striking as a strong point of the round. She also has some good memories from the 2024 playing, where she finished T52 at 1-under.

"I really just like the course. I played pretty well here last year," said Wang. "Last year, this tournament was the first tournament I made the cut in as a pro, so I have good memories, and I feel like I just brought that good energy to this year."

Five players sit just one shot back of Avery and Wang heading into Saturday's second round. Britney Yada, Melanie Green, Camille Boyd, Sarah White and Jackie Lucena all signed for a 4-under opening 18 holes, with White joining Avery in the two-eagle club. The Michigan native holed out twice, carding a two on the par-4 1st and 16th.

The second round begins at 7:30 a.m. local time on Saturday, and if it's anything like Friday's first round, it's sure to be action-packed. Wang and Avery are both off Sweetgrass Golf Club's 10th hole at 8:14 a.m. and 1:46 p.m. local time, respectively.