WILLOUGHBY — The young kid was hanging in with the seasoned veterans.

Ironton’s Nathan Kerns was tied for seventh place after the first round of the Ohio Amateur golf tournament Tuesday.

Lawyer and former University of Akron golfer Bill Williamson shot a 5-under 66 at the Kirkland Country Club to take a two-shot lead in the 104th annual tournament that features the top amateur golfers in the state.

Kerns — who will be a sophomore on the Marshall Thundering Herd golf team this fall — shot an even par 71. He had rounds of 35 and 36 as he recorded three birdies and three bogeys.

Tony Brown, also from Ironton, shot a 78 with rounds of 38 and 40 and is seven shots over par.

Only 10 of the 144 players in the field were able to break par in the four-day tournament.