Gavin Hall

LEWISTON, N.Y. (July 23, 2014) -- Upstate New York local Gavin Hall shot a first-round six-under 64 on Wednesday at the Porter Cup to take a one-stroke lead.

The University of Texas golfer made five birdies and an eagle along with a lone bogey on his ninth hole of the day at Niagara Falls Country Club on his way to 64. He parred his last seven holes to finish.

Taylor Funk, the son of eight-time PGA Tour winner Fred Funk, came in one behind Hall with a five-under 65. He started hot with a bogey-free four-under 31 on the front nine, but bogeyed the 10th hole to drop back to three-under. He rebounded quickly, however, with three consecutive birdies on 11, 12, and 13 to move to six-under for the day. A bogey on 17 cost him a chance at a tie for the lead with Hall.

Simon Viitakangas of Australia heads into the second round of play in solo third place. He birdied three of his first six holes to move to three-under, then carded bogeys on 10 and 11 to drop back. He made up for them with a birdie on 14 and an eagle two on the par-4 15th hole to get to four-under. Pars on the final three holes sealed an opening 66.

The perpetually strong field at the prestigious Porter Cup is missing defending champion Taylor Pendrith, but has made do with a bevy of some of the best players in the country. Notables include Geoff Drakeford, runner-up at the 2014 Southern Amateur and Scottish Open Amateur, and this year’s U.S. Amateur Public Links finalist, Doug Ghim.

Drakeford is tied for fourth at three-under, while Ghim posted a round of even-par on Thursday and is tied for 21st.

20 players are currently under-par. For full results, follow the link below.