36-hole leader Stewart Hagestad
(USGA Photo)

Hagestad started the tournament with a 1-under 71 and after 18-holes he was tied with Scott Harvey for the lead. Both Hagestad and Harvey are working hard this year to impress U.S. Walker Cup captain Spider Miller in hopes of securing a spot on the team for the matches in September.

Speaking of Harvey he is the only other player under-par after carding his second consecutive 1-under 71 and he will begin the final round 2-under and in second place.

Matt Broome is 1-over in third place, Matthew Swan is one shot further back in fourth at 2-over while Jospeh Alfieri and Aaron Hickman are sharing fifth at 3-over.

Defending champion TJ Shuart was eight shots better on Friday shooting a 4-under 76 and the will begin the final round tied for 45th.

ROUND ONE RECAP

With day one of the George L. Coleman Amateur Invitational in the books at Seminole Golf Club arguably the two best mid-amateur players in the country are leading the way. Following first round 1-under 71's the duo of Stewart Hagestad and Scott Harvey are a stroke ahead of Jeronimo Esteve as the talented Mid-Am field heads for Friday's second round.

Since dueling at last summers George C. Thomas Invitational, these two have seemingly been running into each other at every turn. Harvey took the first victory with a win at the George C. Thomas Invitational and then it was Hagestad answering back with a dramatic win at the U.S. Mid-Amateur. The two were then displaying their skills side-by-side at last December's Walker Cup practice session.

Behind Hagestad and Harvey is Jeronimo Esteve after an even-par 72 in third while Parker Smith, Matthew Swan and Matt Broome are tied for fourth thanks to 1-over 73's.

Defending champion TJ Shuart struggled on day one and he is in 48th place.