Oldham in front by one in S.C. Amateur

CLINTON — Will Oldham of Spartanburg, a rising senior at Virginia Tech, fired a 6-under-par 66 Thursday to take the first-round lead in the S.C. Golf Association Amateur Championship being played at Musgrove Mill Golf Club.

Tripp McAllister of Lake City, who plays for Coastal Carolina, is second at 67.

Six players are tied for third at 68, Austin Cody of North Charleston, Patrick Rada of Anderson, Steve Liebler of Irmo, Todd Hendley of Simpsonville, George Bryan IV of Chapin and Patrick Lundy of Little River.

Two-time winner Bert Atkinson of Charleston, who last week made the cut in the U.S. Senior Open, opened with a 70. Defending champ Luke Hopkins of Greer, a member of the Clemson golf team, opened with a 75.

Oldham, a rising senior at Virginia Tech, got off to a hot start, making birdies on four of his first seven holes.

A lone bogey on the ninth hole was the 22-year-old's only blemish on his scorecard. Oldham added another birdie on the par-3 12th and an eagle on the par-5 16th.

The field of 135 players will be cut to the low 70 and ties today for the final two rounds of the tournament.

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