Ten golfers in this year’s BMW Charity Pro-Am Presented by TD Synnex have either a college or hometown tie to the Palmetto State.

Trent Phillips, from Inman, had the most storied Junior golf career in the state and followed it up by earning All-American honors three-times at Georgia.

Phillips, who was snubbed by the local organizers last year after he finished in the top 7 of the PGA Tour University program and was passed over for an exemption to play in his home town event, got on the course at Carolina Country Club finally to play in the first round of the 2023 Korn-Ferry event.

Philips is following up a second place finish at the UNC Healthcare Championship in Raleigh last week.

The 32nd ranked Korn-Ferry professional survived two bogeys to start his round and got under par with three-straight birdies on his front nine.

Phillips shot 3-under par 33 on the back nine to finish at 4-under par and lead the local golfers going into the second round.

The Boiling Springs High School grad clearly had the support of a good sized group of fans following his play.

“Its fun being out here with all these people,” said Phillips. “Its different to have this many people out here clapping for me, I’m going to enjoy it and embrace it and have fun over the next couple of days,” he said.

Phillips saw a few shots get away from him in the round and now trails Michael Feagles, who shot a 12-under par 59 at Thornblade, by 8-shots.

The 3-time Jay Haas South Carolina Junior Golfer of the Year was impressed with Feagles play and believes there may be more of those kind of low scores out there in the next three days.

“There are 59s out there every week, dude. You just have to make the putts and get a break or two. Who knows I might shoot a 59 tomorrow,” said Phillips who will tee off at 6:40 on number 10 at Thornblade Friday morning.

Tied with Phillips is former USC golfer Scott Stevens, who had a very good year on the PGA Canada Tour last year.

Other golfers for local fans to follow are Clemson grads, Jacob Bridgeman from Inman, William Nottingham, Billy Kennerly and Bryson Nimmer are all at 2-under par tied for 78 along with Winthrop grad Taylor Dickson.

2013 chammpion, USC grad Mark Anderson, former SC Junior champion Christian Salzer and Easley and Auburn grad Trace Crowe have some work to do to make the cut.

Scores from the first round of the BMW https://www.pgatour.com/korn-ferry-tour/tournaments/2023/bmw-charity-pro-am-presented-by-td-synnex/H2023037