COLUMBUS - Going from front to back was like going from day to night.

Ironton golfers John Gagai and Tony Brown were in the thick of the race after the front nine holes, but the back nine left them scrambling to get back in the title chase at the 98th Ohio Amateur golf championship at the Columbus Country Club.

Gagai fired a 35 over the first nine holes and Brown a 36 at Tuesday's first round.

But on the back nine, Gagai and Brown each carded a 39 to fall off the pace by eight and nine strokes, respectively.

Robert Gerwin of Cincinnati shot 32 and 34 for a 66 total and a two-shot lead over Jon Eggleton of Batavia, Kevin Boyle of Mentor and Kyle Reifers of Columbus.

Gagai has a 74 total while Brown stands at 75.

The tournament resumes Wednesday on the 6,968-yard, par 72 course.

Gagai is a former All-Southern Conference player for Marshall University. He has also played in the PGA Pro-Am Tournament.

Brown was an NAIA All-American golfer for Shawnee State University. He is a member of the SSU Athletic Hall of Fame.