Returning Sunnehanna Amateur champion Preston Summerhays has work to do if he wants to defend his title.
Summerhays shot a 1-over par 71 during Day 1 of the 68th Sunnehanna Amateur Wednesday at Sunnehanna Country Club in Johnstown, and finds himself five shots behind leaders Max Steinlechner and Jerry Ji, each shooting a 4-under 66.
Ian Siebers is third at 3-under and six players are tied for fourth at 2-under.
Locally, Murrysville native Palmer Jackson is tied for 20th following an even-round 70. He eagled No. 11, but double bogeyed the par 3 16th hole.
Greensburg native Mark Goetz and Oakmont’s Sean Knapp finished 2-over, Pittsburgh’s Nathan Smith is 3-over, Peters Township’s Connor Schmidt is 4-over and Pittsburgh’s Rick Stimmel is 10-over.
Round 2 of the four-round event is Thursday.
