He shot rounds of 68-73–141 to lead Tom Davis (73-69) of Hoover and Scott Johnston (71-71) of Auburn, both of whom are on 142, two-under-par.Johnston finished runner-up last year.

Nelson admitted to throwing a few shots away at Saugahatchee Country Club in Opelika.

“I could have given myself a cushion, but at least I still have the lead. I let a few shots slip away, particularly with the flat stick (putter), but I’m pleased to still be leading.”

He had birdies on Nos. 6, 10 and 15 but dropped shots on holes 3, 7, 11 and 13.

“It was just one of those days when I made a few mental mistakes and the wind made the course a little trickier.”

Nelson, who won the State Junior in 1978 and the State Mid-Amateur in 2009, turned 50 last fall.

In the fall he successfully made it through regional qualifying for the Champions Tour, before failing to qualify via the very tough national qualifying. He remained an amateur through the whole process and said it had really helped his game to go through two such pressure-packed contests.

Steve Hudson, who won last year’s State Mid-Amateur for his first state title after many close finishes and has won the Alabama Golf Association’s Player of the Year multiple times, is the only other player under par after rounds of 70-73–143.

In the 57-64 age group, Lanett’s David Stanfield, who won this age group last year, has a two-shot leader over Paul Crowell of Athens. Stanfield shot 73-71–144 and Crowell 73-73–146.

James Errol Baxley of Dothan has a four-shot lead after rounds 71-74–145 in the 65+ age group over Don Lambert of Foley (74-75–149).

View results for Alabama Senior Amateur