Georgia golfer T.J. Mitchell shot a 3-under 68 to climb into a tie for ninth place on Monday at Cherry Hills Country Club in Aurora, Colo., to lead a group of five Bulldogs playing in the opening round of the U.S. Amateur Championship.

Georgia’s Nicholas reach shot a 1-under 70, also at Cherry Hills, and was in a tie for 32nd; Joey Garber shot an even 70 at CommonGround Golf Course and was tied for 46th; Keith Mitchell shot a 5-over 76 at Cherry Hills to tie for 184th; and Sepp Straka shot a 9-over 79 at CommonGrounds for a share of 273rd.

Athens golfer Chris Waters was tied for 119th after shooting a 3-over 73 at CommonGrounds.

Stroke play continues today at both courses with the top 64 golfers advancing to the match play rounds.