George Markham (L) and Sam Dickey shot -5 at the Cochise Course (Nicklaus Golf photo)
SCOTTSDALE, AZ (June 13, 2018) -
George Markham (Phoenix, AZ) and
Sam Dickey (Las Vegas, NV) share the first-round lead at the 103rd Southwestern Amateur after rounds of 5-under 65 at the Cochise Course at Desert Mountain Golf Club.
Markham, a senior at the Colorado School of Mines, finished his round with a flourish with a birdie on 17 and an eagle on the par-5 18th.
“I played very solid golf today with my only slip-up coming when I double-bogeyed the 15th,” Markham said. “Other than that, it was a very solid round of golf.”
Dickey, a junior at the University of New Mexico, was bogey-free on Wednesday, with three birdies and an eagle on the par-5 15th.
“I couldn’t be happier with my round and hope I can play this well for the next three days,” he said.
There are plenty of players near the top of the leaderboard. Auburn University sophomore Wells Padgett (Wichita, KS) shot a 4-under 66, as did University of Wisconsin rising senior Jordan Hahn (Spring Grove, IL).
The defending champion Jino Sohn (Honolulu, HI), a senior at Arizona State University, is in good position after a 3-under 67, two shots behind the leaders. Still, he lamented some missed chances.
Related: Jino Sohn Pulls Away to Win the Southwestern Amateur
“I probably turned a 63 or 64 into a 67,” said Sohn of his round that included seven birdies and four bogeys. “But I should be in pretty good position as we go into the final three rounds.”
Also at 67 is Sam Hill (Orlando, FL), who plays for the University of Texas at Tyler.
In all, 28 players are even par or better, and within five shots of the lead.
ABOUT THE
Southwestern Amateur
The Southwestern Men's Amateur Golf Championship is a prestigious 72-hole stroke play competition open to top national-level amateurs holding a handicap index of 1.4 or better.
Following the first 36 holes, the field will be cut to the low 36 players and ties.
Player selection is determined by the Southwestern Golf Association (SWGA) Selection Committee, based on:
- Exemptions
- Competitive playing resumes
- National and international rankings
In addition, the SWGA reserves the right to invite amateurs of significant national or international stature, as well as other players of notable achievement, to participate in the championship.
Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit detailed golf resumes highlighting accomplishments in major amateur tournaments and other competitive events.
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