TYLER, Texas (July 28, 2020) – Oklahoma Christian golfer Alex Motes closed strong in his opening round to give himself a chance to make the cut in the 50th Texas State Open, which began Tuesday at The Cascades Club.

Motes, one of 32 amateurs in the 156-player field, posted a 3-over-par 73 and was tied for 109th. The top 55 players (plus ties) after Wednesday's second round will make the cut, and Motes – from Sulphur Springs, Texas – will enter the day three shots below the cut line.

He was 6-over through 12 holes on Tuesday, but finished with three birdies over his final six holes.

Motes, who just finished his first season at OC after two seasons at Midland (Texas) – where he earned National Junior College Athletic Association All-America honors – earned his spot in the Texas State Open with a second-place finish in a June 17 qualifying event at Bridlewood Golf Club in Flower Mound, Texas.

Earlier this summer, he tied for 12th in the Oklahoma Golf Association Stroke Play Championship at The Territory Golf and Country Club in Duncan, Okla.