Ward Harris shot a 4-under par 68 Wednesday to take a one-stroke lead after first round of the 51st Southern Junior Championship at Baton Rouge Country Club.
Harris, of Vestavia Hills, Alabama, had a one-stroke lead over Zander Grant from Rancho Santa Margarita, California.
Only 10 of 156 players broke par Wednesday. Among them were three players from Louisiana: Noah McWilliams of Benton shot a 2 under 70 while Jay Mendell (an LSU signee) and Kale Fontenot (Georgia Tech) of Lafayette both shot 71s.
After Thursday’s second round, the field will be cut to the low 66 players and ties going into Friday’s final round.
The tournament, boys ages 14-18, is at BRCC for the first time.
For live scoring, visit www.southerngolf.org.