Aug 12, 2013

BROOKLINE, Mass. — South Carolina sophomores Will Starke and Matt NeSmith carded rounds of 73 (+3) and 74 (+4), respectively, on Monday in the first round of stroke play at the U.S. Amateur Championship at Charles River Country Club.

Starke finished the day in a tie for 86th, while NeSmith is in a tie for 112th. The field of 312 golfers will play one more round of stroke play on Tuesday before it will be cut to the low 64 scorers for six rounds of match play.

Nick Hardy of Northbrook, Ill., is the first-round leader after firing a 5-under 65.

Both Starke and NeSmith will play the longer of the two courses used for stroke play on Tuesday as they will tee off on the par-70, 7,310-yard layout at The Country Club. Starke will take the course at 8:45 a.m., while NeSmith is scheduled to tee off at 2:30 p.m. Scoring updates will be provided after each player makes the turn at USGA.org.