St. Joseph Country Club
(St. Joseph Country Club Photo)

It was a sluggish start for Nathan as he bogeyed five holes in the first 12 while only birdieing once. The struggles dropped Nathan back to 1-under with just six holes remaining. However, Nathan would salvage his Saturday by rolling in three birdies over the course of the final four holes. The birdies came on Nos. 15, 17 and 18.

Grant Vollertsen moved into second place at 3-under following a 4-under 67 in the second round. Vollersten birdied six holes and bogeyed two.

Danny Behm is 2-under and in third while Bradley Lane and Brian Csipkes are tied for fourth at 1-under.

Just five players are under-par heading into the final round.

ROUND ONE RECAP

Kyle Nathan shot a 5-under 66 on Friday to take the first round Midwest Cup lead. Nathan presently leads a group of nine at St. Joseph Country Club that are under-par.

Nathan, from Glenview, IL and a reinstated amateur, played nearly flawless golf as he carded six birdies and one bogey. His round got off to a strong start, as he birdied the opening hole for the first of his three birds in five holes.

After turning in 3-under 32, Nathan, who made it to the Round of 16 at the U.S. Mid-Amateur last year, birdied the 10th before bogeying No. 14 for his only bogey of the day. Nathan didn't dwell on the dropped shot and he quickly responded with back-to-back birdies on the 16th and 17th to close in 2-under 34.

Two players; Brian Csipkes and Ryan Nietfeldt share second place at 4-under. Both players fired 4-under 67's.

Csipkes carded his 67 in bogey-free fashion with birdies coming on holes 2, 8, 17 and 18.

Nietfeldt, also a former professional, was bogey-free as well after a four birdie day. He birdied the 6th before saving most of his fireworks until the very end when he rolled in birdies on the 15th, 17th and 18th holes.

Travis Mitchell (-3) is fourth while Brad Nurski (-2) is fifth.