Defending champion Hunter Hawkins picked up where he left off at the Alabama State Mid-Amateur Championship, firing a 5-under 67 to take the opening-round lead at Wynlakes Golf & Country Club in Montgomery, AL.
Hawkins, of Fort Payne, holds a one-shot advantage as he begins his bid for consecutive titles in a field that includes 11 past champions.
Hunter Hamrick of Pike Road and Ethan Hagood of Vestavia Hills are Hawkins' nearest challengers after matching 4-under 68s. Both will enter the second round just one shot off the pace.
Four players are another stroke back at 3-under 69, leaving seven golfers within two shots of the lead.
Tyler Smith of Opelika, James Medley of Homewood, Trent Alexander of Florence and Blake Watts of Fort Payne share fourth place after each broke 70 in the opening round.
The leaderboard remains tightly packed behind them, with six players tied for eighth at 2-under 70. That group includes Thomas Luther of Hoover, Emile Vaughan of Fairhope, Jackson King of Vestavia Hills, Van Thigpen of Elberta, Shaw Pritchett of Montgomery and Will Thompson of Vestavia Hills.
Hawkins will carry the lead into the second round as he looks to defend his championship successfully, but with Hamrick and Hagood one back and six more players within three shots, the title race remains wide open.
This is a live report from the Alabama State Mid-Amateur Championship. Follow along for more updates as the tournament unfolds.
