Juniors champion Powell leads Men's State Am

MISSOULA — Five days after claiming the Montana Juniors boys golf title, Hamilton’s Brady Powell took a one-shot lead after the first round of the Montana Men’s State Amateur golf tournament Thursday.

Powell, who prepped at Corvallis High School, had six birdies on the way to a five-under 65 at Missoula Country Club. He birded three of the last four holes — 15, 17 and 18.  

Kade McDonough, playing on his home course, bogeyed the par-5 18 to finish with a 67 on the par-71, 6,734-yard track. He’s tied for second with Hudson Goroski, the reigning State AA medalist from Missoula Sentinel. 

Play was delayed by lightning; players were still on the course at 8:30 p.m. Gordon Webb of Malta, the 2008 champ, shot 68 a sit in fourth. 

There was a four-way tie at 69: Billy Smith of Whitefish, Joe Mcgreevey of Helena, Brian Beach of Helena and Colin Jensen of Billings all shot 2-under 69s. 

Defending champion Liam Clancy of Laurel opened with a 72.  

In the Senior Amateur division, Bozeman’s Tom White posted the only round under par with a 70. One stroke back was the trio of Missoula’s Bill Dunn, Whitefish’s Brad Grattan and Jerry Pearson of Billings.

Full results can be found msga.org or via the Golf Genius App:  25MSGAMA.