GAUTIER – Jacob Ross of Brookhaven shot a 6-over par 78 Thursday in the opening round of the Mississippi State Amateur Championship at the Grand Bear Golf Course. Ross shot a hole-in-one on the 179-yard No. 7 but he trailed first-round leader Eddie Brescher III of Canton by 10 strokes after Brescher authored an impressive 4-under par 68.

The ace by Ross left him at even par but he had 3 bogeys and 2 double-bogeys the rest of the day.

Steve Wilson of Ocean Springs and Nick Beale of Pass Christian were tired for second place at 70. Carter Callaway of Hattiesburg and Tim MCabe jr. of Gulfport shared fourth place at 71.

William Lee of Brookhaven (Loyd Star) also shot 78 Thursday. Lee, who has a signed a scholarship with Copiah-Lincoln Community College, had 6 bogeys in his 6-over round.

Co-Lin sophomores Corbin May of Saltillo and Connor Barnes of Prentiss shot 84 and 83 respectively in the opening round. May is the reigning MACJC State Tournament medalist and NJCAA Region 23 medalist.