Alex Ellis Fires Career Low At Muny, Grabs 1st Round Lead in Firecracker Open

Alex Ellis, a former Westlake High School Golfer and currently an assistant golf coach at the College of Charleston had a pleasant homecoming.  He fired  a nine under par 62 to grab a three shot lead after the first round of the 2018 Firecracker Open.  Ellis started the round with four pars then birdied 5, 8 and nine to turn in three under par.  A good opening nine in the blustery winds.

And, in concert with the Firecracker tournament theme, the fireworks unfolded on the back nine.  Ellis drove the par four 10th green and rolled in an eagle putt.  He then birdied 11 and made another eagle on the par five 12th.  After a bogey on the par three 13th, he made another eagle on the par five 14th, and then closed with four pars to shoot 29 on the back nine.  33-29=62.

Post round conversations with him and other players indicated he had chances to add more birdies on the final four holes,  but had to settle for 62.  He said it was his career best at Muny and really had not been playing that well coming into the tournament.  Go figure….  Ellis won the Firecracker Open in 2011 and would love to add a second title to his resume.

Trevor Brown and Michael Rome shot six under par 65 to trail Ellis by three shots. Seger Howell and Reid Davenport shot 66 to trail by four. Dalton Hankamer and Tyler Ware shot four under par.

Full field results are listed below.  There will be a 36 hole cut.

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