OOLTEWAH, TN (May 26, 2017) - Fresh off his retirement as Mississippi State University's head golf coach, Clay Homan has taken a two-shot lead after the first round of the Lupton Invitational at The Honors Course.
Homan, the reigning Mississippi State Amateur champion, was one of only two players under par on the famously difficult Pete Dye design, recording a four-under 68. Michael Stamberger of Plainfield, NJ sits two shots back in solo second after a 70.
Four players--Andrew Lawson, Richard Spangler, Steve Johnson and 2013 champion Thad Hudgens--share third place at even-par 72.
The leaderboard is tightly bunched just behind those four, with five players at 73, four at 74, and five more at 75. The defending champion Joe Deraney of Lexington, KY is in the group at 75.
Former champion Parker Smith is tied for seventh after a 73. Two-time champion Kris Mikkelson struggled to a 79.
Play continues on Saturday afternoon with round two, before the tournament concludes on Sunday.