Dylan Lillard knows what it takes to win the Cleveland Invitational golf tournament, having captured the title in 2017. But he has another past winner of the event breathing down his neck.
Lillard shot an opening-round 66 to take a three-stroke lead on Saturday in the 20th edition of the tournament hosted by Cleveland Country Club. He tallied seven birdies and a lone bogey to grab the Open division lead heading into Sunday’s final.
Hunter Vest, who won this tournament in 2015, sits three back after firing a 3-under 69, tied for second with Ryan Hulton.
Four golfers are knotted in fourth at 1-under 71, including Bennett McNabb, Wes Spillers, Noah Ross and Josh Ernest. Defending champion Oliver Lewis-Perkins is among a quartet of players six back at even par.
Joe Markham posted a tidy 32 on his final nine to record a 4-under 68 to lead the Senior division, one shot better than Zeb Patten’s 3-under 69.
Shonn Weldon sits in third trailing by four strokes after an opening round of even par 72.
In the Super Senior flight, Richard Keene’s eagle on the par 5 No. 7 sparked a round of 3-under 69 to take the overnight lead. Keene is two shots ahead of Mike Poe, who shot 1-under 71, and three clear of Richard Brame at even par 72.
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Paul Payne can be emailed at paulpayne6249@gmail.com