OAKMONT, Pa. – Nick Lyerly carded a three-over 73 during the first round of the 121st U.S. Amateur Championship at Oakmont Golf Course Monday afternoon.
 
The UNC Greensboro senior overcame a few rocky holes and finished with a flourish by hitting birdies on the 17th and 18th holes. Lyerly started strong by making par on his first eight holes.
 
"I was proud of myself for hanging in there today despite a rough stretch starting the back nine," Lyerly said. "I was able to get a couple of birdies at the end to put me in good position heading into tomorrow."
 
He will tee off at 9:15 a.m. on the ninth hole.
 
The lowest 64 golfers will qualify for match play. He was tied for 16th on all the rounds played at Oakmont, one of the two courses used for the tournament. Lyerly is focused on doing better in the second round after his encouraging ending.
 
"I just need to play solid and make a few birdies," Lyerly said. "It's going to be hard to tell where the cut will fall so I just need to go out and shoot under par."