Led by former State Amateur champion Simon Kwon, amateurs dominated the top of the leaderboard at the opening round of the Larry H. Miller Utah Open golf tournament Friday at Riverside Country Club in Provo.
Kwon, who will be a senior on the BYU golf team, fired an 8-under 64 to take a one-stroke lead over another former State Amateur winner — Cole Ogden — and 2013 Utah Open winner Zach Johnson.
Two more amateurs, incoming BYU freshman Kihei Akina and University of Utah golfer Brandon Robison, are in a group of four at 66, along with Brady McKinlay of Canada.
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The four amateurs among the top six after the first round aren’t eligible for the $25,000 first prize. In the field of 155 golfers, just 33 are amateurs.
The 22-year-old Kwon, who won the Utah Amateur in 2023, is a grandson of Hall of Fame golfer Johnny Miller. Earlier this summer, he finished as the runner-up in the State Am to Bowen Mauss and was also runner-up in 2022.
Kwon made eight birdies and an eagle in his round, which also included a pair of bogeys.
“I missed one green all day and hit a lot of wedges,” Kwon said. “I just wanted to be super present, not thinking about a number, just the shot in front of me.”
Six golfers are tied at 67, including amateurs Noah Schone and Boston Bracken, both of St. George, as well as 2022 Utah Open champion Blake Tomlinson.
Former champions Derek Fribbs and Zahkai Brown are among a group of six at 68, while 2023 champion and PGA Tour regular Zac Blair is one of 10 golfers at 69.
In all, 53 golfers broke par Friday and another 13 came in at even par 72.
After Saturday’s round, the field will be cut to the low 60 golfers and ties. The final 18 holes will be played Sunday.