SAINT CHARLES, Miss. (Aug. 1, 2013) -- Kyle Weldon posted an afternoon round of 5-under 65 to take the lead after Round 1 of the 23rd Amateur Championship at Persimmon Woods Golf Club. Weldon’s 65 had 6 birdies and a bogey around 11 pars on the 6860 yard Persimmon Woods layout. Weldon’s round ties an Amateur Championship opening round record of 5-under set by Ed Schwent in 1992. The defending champ had a 4-under 31 on the back 9 to complete his round.
Morning wave leader Mike Wootten finds himself 2 shots back after his early 3-under 67. Wootten, a Whitmoor CC member, had a bogey-free round to go with his 3 birdies to maintain the clubhouse lead for most of Round 1. Persimmon member Joe Timpone, playing in the last group of the day, fired a 2-under 68.
One other score of under was 69, shot by Joe Migdal in the morning wave.
A logjam of players completed play at 1-over 71 for the day, including past champions Skip Berkmeyer (2009) and Brian Kennedy (1999).
Round 2 will begin again at 7:30am out at Persimmon Woods Golf Club. The field will be cut to the low 40 scores and ties following play Friday for the final round.