Joey Johnson of Springfield and Chad Niezing of Manchester are tied for the lead after Tuesday's opening round of the Missouri Amateur at Jefferson City Country Club.
Johnson and Niezing both recorded 2-under par 70s to top the nearly 150-player field. Four players - Derek Reynolds of Springfield, Christopher Obert of Ozark, Chase Hanna of Leawood, Kan., and Marc McClain Jr. of Kansas City, Kan. - are one shot behind.
Kory Franks of Jefferson City leads area players. He is tied for seventh after an opening round of 72.
Other area players include: Walker Kesterson of Hartsburg (tied for 16th, 73); Kirk Farmer of Jefferson City (tied for 28th, 74); Alex Knoll of Jefferson City (tied for 49th, 76); Jack McCulloch of Jefferson City (tied for 49th, 76); Tom McHenry of Jefferson City (tied for 78th, 78); Gerald Siemons of Jefferson City (tied for 116th, 82); Jayson Johnston, Holts Summit (tied for 123rd, 83); and Sam Englund of Jefferson City (138th, 92).
Due to rain Tuesday, nine players were unable to finish their rounds in the event hosted by the Missouri Golf Associaton.
The top 64 players after today's second round advance to match play that begins Thursday. The tournament will continue through Sunday.
Leaderboard
70 - Joey Johnson, Springfield; Chad Niezing, Manchester.
71 - Derek Reynolds, Springfield; Christopher Obert, Ozark; Chase Hanna, Leawood, Kan.; Marc McClain Jr., Kansas City, Kan.
72 - Will Echelmeier, Columbia; Brian Haskell, St. Joseph; Brad Nurski, St. Joseph; Travis Mays, Overland Park, Kan.; Brett Windsor, Boonville; Dillon Eaton, Wildwood; Phil Caravia, St. Louis; Mitch Rutledge, St. Peters; Kory Franks, Jefferson City.
73 - Matt Echelmeier, Columbia; Walker Kesterson, Hartsburg; Jason Cahill, St. Louis; Gabe Wheeler, Sikeston; Michael Silberberg, Wildwood; Hunter Parrish, Washington, Brad Carpenter, Washington; Tim Holmes, Springfield; Preston Fleener, Mission Hills, Kan., Wayne Fredrick, Springfield; Scott Whittaker, Springfield; Griffen Locke, Joplin.
74 - Nick Walz, Springfield; Michael Fuehne, Edwardsville, Ill.; Max Ernst, Kansas City; Kaden Macha, Iola, Kan.; Kirk Farmer, Jefferson City; Teddy Jones Wildwood, Wildwood; Alex Locke, Springfield; Alex Ciaramitaro, St. Peters; Tom Barry, St. Louis; Luigi Botta, Columbia; Frankie Thomas, Chesterfield.
75 - Ian Barnes, Licking; Brad Dixon, Lake Ozark; Jon Hughes, Gardner, Kan.; Steven Souchek, Columbia, Ill.; Jamie Hathcock, Springfield; Adam Johnson, Ozark; Tyler Stalker, Springfield; Lack Litzelfeiner III, Jackson; Sam Migdal, Ballwin; Brevin Giebler, Cape Girardeau.
76 - Steve Groom, Raytown; Noah Wilson, Palmyra; Travis Mitchell, Rogersville; Ed Walsworth, Fairway, Kan.; Jack Carter, Sunrise Beach; Bailey Woods, Warrensburg; Jeremy Reidelberger, St. Charles; Kyle Szhowski, St. Charles; Jeff Johnson, Ballwin; Sam Holmes, Springfield; Andrew Horner, St. Louis; Buddy Allen, Pevely, Ryan Eckelkamp, Washington; Chad Ferris, St. Louis; Buddy Allen, Pevely; Ryan Eckelkamp, Washington; Chris Ferris, St. Louis, Alex Knoll, Jefferson City; Cole Perkins, Marshall; John McCulloch, Jefferson City.