Brant goes low to take lead at Metropolitan Open Championship

Returning to the site of his first win as a professional two years ago no doubt brought a smile to the face of Edwardsville native Chris Brant on Friday at the Country Club at St. Albans.

After his first round 7-under par round of 65 in the opening round of the Metropolitan Open Golf Championship, it’s safe to say Brant was still smiling.

A former Belleville News-Democrat all-area selection and runnerup in the Big 10 Conference Golf Tournament while playing for the University of Iowa, Brant holds a one shot lead over a quartet of players in the 11th annual event.

The 2014 champion, Brant leads professionals Bobby Hudson, Michael Davan, Dan Woltmann and Garrett Sneed, all of whom shot rounds of 66 on the par 72 Lewis and Clark Course at St. Albans. Brett Melton is another stroke back as 19 players took advantage of favorable playing conditions to break 70 on Friday.

Among those players was Sam Migdal, a top amateur in the St. Louis area, who shot 69. Former champions Skip Berkmeyer and Mitchell Gregsoon are in the group who shot 2-under par rounds of 70. Gregson is a former Waterloo and Kansas State University standout.

Another former top high school player from the metro east — Christian Heavens— also is at 70. Heavens played high school golf at Belleville East.

Round two is set for Saturday. Following the completion of play on Saturday, the field will be cut to the low 40 players and ties who will compete in the final round on Sunday. First place is $25,000.

This story was originally published July 8, 2016 at 10:54 PM with the headline "Brant goes low to take lead at Metropolitan Open Championship."