Christian Brand shoots 66 to lead W.Va. Open - Beckley, Bluefield & Lewisburg News, Weather, Sports

Christian Brand shoots 66 to lead W.Va. Open

Posted: Updated:
SISSONVILLE -

Charleston's Christian Brand has shot a 5-under-par 66 for a one-stroke lead after the first round of the West Virginia Open on Wednesday at Edgewood Country Club in Sissonville.
    
Brand is a former Marshall golfer who won the 2011 state Amateur and turned professional last month. His best finish in the Open is a tie for second in 2007.
    
Edgewood pro Craig Berner and Hurricane amateur Sam O'Dell are one stroke back. Berner won the event in 2005.
    
Among a group of five golfers at 3 under are four-time champion Scott Davis and 2001 winner Jonathan Clark.
    
Defending champion David Bradshaw and 2011 runner-up Bob Friend are at 1 under. Bradshaw is trying to become the first to win four straight Opens since Sam Snead in the early 1970s.

(Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)