USC’s NeSmith leads at U.S. Amateur after first round

USC senior Matt NeSmith led both the Palmetto State contingent and the entire field in Monday’s first round of the U.S. Amateur at Olympia Fields Country Club near Chicago.

NeSmith (North Augusta) fired a 5-under-par 65 over Olympia Fields’ South Course with a bogey on the ninth, his final hole. Starting on No. 10, he made the turn at 4-under and added two more birdies before bogeying his last.

“Super solid,” he said after posting the score that leads four players by one stroke. “I thought I left some (birdies) out there. ... I could have put myself in a really, really good spot, but I’m pretty happy with what I have done so far.”

Miller Capps (Clemson) and Zach Seabolt (Winthrop) both shot even-par 70 and share 30th place in the field of 312. Another stroke back at 71 is Billy Kennerly (Clemson), tied for 49th. At 2-over-par and tied for 78th are Sean Kelly (USC) and Todd White (Spartanburg). Caleb Proveaux, a USC commitment who is a senior at Gilbert High, stands at 73 in 118th place.

The remainder of the Palmetto State players are Andrew Orischak (Hilton Head Island) and Nick Eberhardt (Lake Wylie/Winthrop) at 76; Carson Young (Pendleton/Clemson) and Henry Smart (Charleston) at 77; and Josh Lorenzetti (Blythewood/College of Charleston) at 80.

The field will be cut to the low 64 for match play that begins Wednesday after Tuesday’s second round of stroke play. Seventy-seven players finished the opening round at 1-under-par or better.

Playing in his third straight U.S. Amateur, NeSmith earned his place in the field by qualifying for the U.S. Open. He won two tournaments, including the SEC Championship, during the college season and added the Players Amateur to his collection of titles this summer.

This story was originally published August 17, 2015 at 10:06 PM with the headline "USC’s NeSmith leads at U.S. Amateur after first round."