UT's Boyer in third at Ohio Am

7/15/2009

DAYTON - Unheralded Lucas Murray birdied the final three holes for a 68 and a one-shot lead over defending champion Vaughn Snyder through yesterday's opening round of the 103rd Ohio Amateur.

Murray was an overlooked member of the 144-field coming into Moraine Country Club. The East Sparta resident had never played in the tournament before and had spent his first two years on the team at Mount Union. He's transferring to Akron this fall.

A former Ohio State player who won by two shots at Findlay Country Club last year, Snyder intends to turn pro next week before playing in the Ohio Open.

Sharing third at 2-under 70 are Ben Boyer, a University of Toledo junior who calls Moraine his home course, along with 34-year-old Mitch Mahoney of Hamilton and Ohio University sophomore Paul Grauer of Dublin.

Another shot back in the 72-hole stroke-play tournament are 1995 Ohio Am champ Alan Fadel of Toledo, Middletown's Alex Martin, Notre Dame grad Steven Drake of Findlay, Xavier's Chris Burger from Cincinnati, Mark Akers of Tiffin, University of Findlay golfer Joe McGeehan of Springfield and Cincinnati's Rob Chappell.

The field will be narrowed to the top 60 and ties after today's second round.