Olympia Fields Four-Ball: Three-way tie atop leaderboard

OLYMPIA FIELDS, Ill. — Three teams are two-under par after 68s in the opening round at the Olympia Fields Four-Ball. Chris Houston and Chad Tidwell, Troy Logan and John Finnin, and Will and Brian Hickey are all deadlocked at 68 with one round to go. Tied for fourth at 69 are two teams, including one that boasts the 2014 U.S. Mid-Amateur runner-up — Brad Nurski of Missouri. He and his partner Pat Britt will enter the final round one shot out along with the team of Andrew Hulett and Ryan Anetsberger. Five other teams are at even-par 70, with another four just one-over. Defending champions Kyle Nathan and Andrew Vitt, who won in an incredible six-hole playoff in 2014, are not in the field this year. The 36-hole tournament is held at Olympia Fields Country Club, site of the 2015 U.S. Amateur, and numerous other USGA events. Contestants play 18 on the North Course and 18 on the South Course. North is the more famous, having hosted the U.S. Open, most recently in 2003. But the South Course, renovated in 2008, is now the preferred club of the members and is slated to host several important professional and amateur tournaments in the coming years. The invitational event involves entries usually being sent to U.S. Mid Amateur qualifiers and other players of note.