Birdie run helps Cutrell to first-round lead in Pa. Amateur

Arnie Cutrell of Hannastown Golf Club overcame a double bogey at the first hole and fired a 4-under-par 67 to surge into the opening-round lead Monday in the 104^th Pennsylvania Amateur Championship at White Manor Country Club in Malvern.

Cutrell finished the day with a 1-stroke lead over J.D. Hughes of Carlisle after his first tour around the hilly 6,745-yard course.

Christopher Ault of Yardley, the 2013 Pennsylvania Amateur champion, headed a five-way tie for third at 69, a group that included Carey Bina of Radnor Valley, Liam McAnally of Applecross, Matt Holuta of Indiana, and Palmer Jackson of Hannastown.

Cutrell hit his initial tee shot far to the left and his ball landed in an official's golf cart. After getting a drop, he could not reach the green, and then three-putted for double bogey once he got there. But he didn't lose any more shots the rest of the day, carding six birdies. A 35-foot putt at the eighth hole sparked a run of four consecutive birdies.

"Sometimes that makes you bear down," Cutrell, speaking of his tough start, told a representative of the Pennsylvania Golf Association. "I was able to focus and get back on track and end up with a nice round.

"I was just hitting it solidly and putting myself in good positions."

Hughes, who started on the back nine, also had a run of four straight birdies early in his round. But he waited until his 15^th hole for his personal highlight, draining an 80-foot eagle putt at White Manor's par-5 sixth.

"That was crazy. That putt would have gone five feet by if it didn't go in," said Hughes, who will be a junior at Penn State in the fall.

Ault's round was helped by a 50-foot putt for eagle at the par-5 17^th.

Defending champion Cole Miller, who is entering his senior year at Penn State, had a 71.

The field of 111 players will compete in the second round Tuesday. The field will then be cut to the low 40 contestants and ties for Wednesday's final round.