TACOMA, Wash. — Auburn sophomore golfer Blayne Barber finished Monday’s opening round of the U.S. Amateur tied for 81st in the field of 212, shooting 2-over on the Chambers Bay Golf Courseh.

Sophomore Michael Hebert (+3) and former Auburn All-SEC selection Glenn Northcutt (+7) also played Round 1 at Chambers Bay, tying for 116th and 221st, respectively.

The trio will continue play today on the Home Course in nearby Dupont, Wash.
Chambers Bay proved to be the more difficult course on the day with 40 of the top 50 competitors opening the event on the Home Course.

The U.S. Amateur includes 36 holes of stroke play Monday and today with golfers alternating between Chambers Bay and the Home Course. The field will then be cut to the low 64 scorers to enter Wednesday match play. The championship concludes with a scheduled 36-hole final match Sunday.

Currently ranked 22nd in the Scratch Players World Amateur Golf Rankings, Barber returns to the U.S. Amateur after competing in the 2008 edition.

Barber advanced to the event after winning the Sawgrass Country Club sectional in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla., while Hebert advanced as an alternate from the Ritz-Carlton Golf Club sectional in Orlando.

Northcutt tied for second at the Piedmont Driving Club sectional in Atlanta.