McRae takes early lead at State Amateur

LEHI — With the morning round complete at the 109th Utah State Amateur Golf Championship at the Golf Club at Thanksgiving Point, it's looking like Michael McRae's on his way to another medalist crown.

With a 5-under-par 31 on the front side, McRae coasted through the back at even par but is still three shots ahead of his nearest competitor with an opening-round 67. McRae won medalist honors last year at Soldier Hollow by eight strokes.

Carl Jensen and Scott Clark are tied for second at 2-under-par 70. Jensen was at minus-four heading into the final hole but four-putted his last green for a double bogey.

Sixteen players are at even-par 72 or better. At 71 are Kirk Siddens, Robert McRae, Rick Lloyd, Nick Nelson and Zack Blair. At 72 are Tommy Sharp, Nathan Page, Dan Horner, Clay Bingham, John Comish, Steve Poulson, Todd Francis and Dustin Robinson.

Utah's Dustin Pimm teed off at 12:20 p.m. and fired a 3-under-par 33. Eric Nilsson was 4 under par through five holes but left the course when he received a phone call that his wife was in labor.