Southern Am: OSU commit Olsen leads

THE WOODLANDS, Texas (July 17, 2013) -- At about this time Last summer, Richy Werenski of Georgia Tech made his name known at the highest levels of amateur golf with a resounding win at the Porter Cup. Now, Werenski is trying to build on that lofty win all while another player is hoping to make his first mark. Werenski fired a first-round 7-under 65 to take a share of second place with elite mid-amateur Kevin Marsh at the Southern Amateur at Carlton Woods. The duo is trailing Zachary Olsen, an Oklahoma State commit who's had plenty of success on the junior circuits but is looking to make a splash on the national level. Olsen shot an 8-under 64, using an eagle-three on the 548-yard par-5 18th to propel himself into the lead. Olsen came in with a 5-under 31. Werenski, who last found the winner's circle at the Massachusetts Four-Ball alongside brother and Texas A&M signee Mickey, birdied Nos. 7, 8 and 9 to catch fire. He went on to birdie four holes on the back for a 33-32 start to the 107th playing of the event. Marsh, meanwhile, also capitalized on an eagle-three on the 18th to make up ground and share second place with Werenski. After Thursday's second round, the field will be cut to the low 66 players and ties. Tom Lovelady of Alabama is tied for fourth place with Cole Wiederkehr at 6-under. Five players, including Cal red shirt Pace Johnson, are tied for sixth at 5-under. Other notable first-round scores include: Sunnehanna winner Steven Ihm (4-under, T11), Walker Cup selections from Alabama Justin Thomas and Cory Whitsett (3-under, T16), Cal's Michael Weaver (3-under, T16), North & South winner Andrew Dorn (2-under T26), 2011 Southern Amateur champ Alex Carpenter (2-under, T26). View full field results from Round 1 using the link below.