Chase Hanna, Michael Letzig share first-round Watson Challenge lead

On paper, Bryan Norton and Chase Hanna have a decent amount in common.

They’re both successful amateur golfers, combining to win the last two Kansas Amateur Championships (Hanna in 2013, Norton in 2014). They also happen to be friends.

But that’s just about where the similarities end. Norton, 56, is 36 years older than Hanna, allowing for what the elder calls a “father-son relationship.” In fact, Hanna is also friends with Norton’s son.

The 17th hole at Mission Hills Country Club holds a pivotal place in their relationship. At last year’s amateur championship semifinal, Norton won the hole against Hanna, which ultimately decided the match and helped Norton win his third Kansas amateur title.

On Friday, the duo was grouped with Michael Letzig during the opening round of the Watson Challenge at Mission Hills, and back on the 17th. Hanna ripped a tee shot that looked like it was heading out of bounds, when it hit a tree and caromed back into play.

He saved par and birdied the par-5 18th after getting within 4 feet of the pin from a sand trap, capping a 3-under back nine that gave him a share of the first-round lead with Letzig at 3-under 67.

Hanna, a Shawnee Mission East High School graduate who just finished his sophomore year at Kansas, credited his opening-round success to an efficient short game but also mentioned there are 36 holes yet to be played.

“I really didn’t hit (the ball) well,” Hanna said. “Just putted well. The short game was solid.

“They don’t give out trophies on the first day. It’s great to have a good start, but there’s certainly a lot of work left.”

Norton’s day didn’t go nearly as well. Norton, a member at Mission Hills, finished with a 3-over par 73 and is tied for 18th. He double-bogeyed the first and 16th holes.

Still, Norton and Hanna could be seen conversing on the fairways and keeping each other’s spirits up throughout the day.

“I’ve always taken a strong interest in Chase’s game and I think he’s a wonderful kid. I know the whole family. They’re all great,” Norton said. “So when I wasn’t playing well, it was fun to watch him.”

Letzig, who spent three years on the PGA Tour, bolted out to an early lead, shooting a 4-under front nine and at times holding a 3-stroke advantage. He regressed on the back nine, bogeying one of the course’s easiest holes, the par-4 14th, which can be reached ny some with a good tee shot.

“I need to play better on the back nine … I definitely made some errors and I need to just be sharp,” Letzig said.

Zac Gavlak birdied three times on the back nine and shot a 2-under 68, pulling within 1 stroke of the lead. Curtis Yonke is in fourth at 1-under par and four players, including Tom Watson, are tied for fifth at even-par 70.

To qualify for the Watson Challenge, golfers need to reach a points total accumulated from competing in other Kansas City-area tournaments (professionals and amateurs have their own events). For Watson, the tournament is a sign of the best local players competing against one another.

“It’s good to see all these players out here,” Watson said. “We have a strong field. It means a lot to have the best players in Kansas City play in the tournament.”

The second round of the tournament continues Saturday at Mission Hills. The first group will tee off at 7:30 a.m., while the final grouping of Hanna, Letzig and Gavlak will tee off at 10 a.m.

Tickets are $25 and include access to Saturday’s second round and Sunday’s final round. Children 17 and under are admitted free with a paid adult. Parking for the event is located at Pembroke Hill, 5121 State Line Road, and a free shuttle will run about every 20 minutes between 7:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. to and from the course.

This story was originally published June 12, 2015 at 5:38 PM with the headline "Chase Hanna, Michael Letzig share first-round Watson Challenge lead."