Mark Cusic leads at Birmingham National Invitational

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama (May 29, 2015) -- The Birmingham National Invitational has attracted one of its best fields in years, as players like Patrick Christovich (Louisiana), Tim Jackson (Tennessee), and Todd Mitchell (Illinois) have made the trip to compete at the Country Club of Birmingham. After one round of play in the 54-hole Mid-Amateur event, it's Mark Cusic of Maryland standing alone at the top at 4-under 68. He is trailed by Seth Sargent of Birmingham (69) and TJ Shuart of Ft. Lauderdale and Christovich, who both fired 70. Cusic, 36, had an amazing 2013 season in which he qualified for three USGA events. He shot 134 to medal at his U.S. Amateur Qualifier, but failed to make match play at The Country Club in Brookline. He also made the Mid-Am and Public Links. He went on to match play in both, losing in the first round at the Publinx and advancing to the round-of-32 at the Mid-Am. Jackson, who nearly won the Tennessee Open despite being a senior golfer (56) and an amateur to boot, is lurking at 71. Defending champ Aaron Hickman of Dallas is going to have his work cut out for him over the weekend if he's going to be a threat, as he posted 78 and stands 10 shots back.