SPRINGFIELD - Kory Franks of Blair Oaks was on his game Monday on the opening day of the Class 2 state golf championships.
Franks, the defending state champion, fired a 5-under 67 to take a three-stroke lead over three players in action at Rivercut Golf Course.
Blair Oaks is second in the team standings with a 316. Barstow is first at 311, with Southern Boone third in the eight-team field at 322.
Tanner Elder of Blair Oaks, a two-time state medalist, is in a three-way tie for sixth after the first round with a 72.
Jake VanRonzelen of the Falcons is tied for 39th after an 84, while Kyle Backes is tied for 72nd with a 93.
Walker Kesterson of Southern Boone, who finished second to Franks at state last year, is one of the players tied for second after Monday after shooting a 70.
Jakob Warren of Southern Boone is tied for 22nd after shooting an 80. Southern Boone teammates Brayden Watts and Alex Zagorac are among the players tied for 44th after carding 86s.
Travis Reger of Versailles is in contention for a state medal after opening with a 76. He is tied for 12th.
Carson Doerhoff of Eugene is tied for 39th after shooting an 84, while his teammate Cameron Lauf is tied for 72nd after shooting a 93. Logan Taylor of South Callaway also shot a 93 on Monday.
The tournament will conclude today.