Mitchum, a PGA Teaching Professional at Pinehurst Resort & CC in Pinehurst, NC, took advantage of ideal early scoring conditions. The winds picked up in the afternoon gusting up to 15-20 miles per hour. Mitchum sank six birdies, and had only one bogey for a 33- 33=66 (-5) on the par-71 layout.
Tied for second are two amateurs - Tyler Lucas of Rock Hill, SC and David Kocher of Charlotte, NC. Both had rounds of 67 (-4).
Only three strokes back of them sit a group of 13 competitors tied for fourth at 69 (-2). As a whole, the amateur participants are playing particularly well. Out of the top 16, 12 of the competitors are amateurs.
For the second round, those who started in the morning will be repaired by score in the afternoon wave and vice versa. After 36 holes, the field will be reduced to the low 60 and ties.