The 120th Vermont Amateur Championship is officially underway at Ekwanok Country Club, where players faced morning showers before conditions gradually improved throughout the afternoon. Despite the wet start, many of the day’s lowest scores came from the morning wave, as players took advantage of receptive greens before the course began to firm up.
Alex Leonard carded the only under-par round of the day, firing a 1-under 69 to take a one-shot lead after 18 holes. Leonard’s steady performance gives him the early advantage heading into Wednesday’s second round.
Just one stroke behind, 2024 Vermont Amateur champion Lucas Politano and Austin Giroux share second place after matching even-par rounds of 70.
A pair of Russells are tied for fourth at 1-over 71. Evan Russell and 15-year-old Luke Russell each remain firmly in contention entering the second round after impressive opening performances.
Four players sit tied for sixth at 2-over 72, keeping themselves well within striking distance of the lead. Garren Poirier, Stephen Goodridge, Bryan Smith, and Jay Zanleoni all turned in solid opening rounds on Ekwanok’s demanding layout.
Rounding out the top 10 are Taylor Bellemare and Jacob Lowe, who each posted 3-over 73 and remain just four shots off the lead with 54 holes still to play.
In the McCullough Cup team competition, Burlington Country Club holds the early lead with a team score of 14-over par. Host Ekwanok Country Club sits four shots back in second at 18-over, while Rutland Country Club is just one stroke behind in third at 19-over.