This year’s Men’s City Championship likely could not get here fast enough for Seger Howell. After giving up 3 shots to par on the 71st and 72nd holes in last year’s event and losing to eventual winner Jonathan Alden by one stroke, Howell starts the 2018 tournament with a stellar 5-under 66 and a two stroke lead. His two bogeys on the day were sandwiched between consecutive holes of 3 birdies on the front nine and 4 birdies on the back nine.
In a four-way tie in second place after day one, shooting 3-under 68 are Michael Cooper, Winn Smith and Tucker Tovar, along with the 2018 Rudy’s Cup captain Gene Black, who is making a very strong case for being a playing captain in this year’s event.
Jake Doggett sits at 2-under par, alone in sixth place, while the ageless Mike Allen rounds out the red numbers at 1-under par, alone in 7th place. A nine-way tie for 8th place includes numerous familiar names around the Austin golf scene and prior Rudy’s Cup teams. Defending Champion Jonathan Alden sits T-17 with a 1-over 73 after day one.
Play moves to Lions Municipal for round 2. Follow the leaderboard for updated scores throughout the day.