Golf

Both captains in the Odds vs. Evens Shootout expected a close opening day, and they were right.

With a one-point edge in the afternoon alternate shot matches, the Evens opened a 4.5-3.5 lead over the favored Odds in the inaugural Calhoun County version of the Ryder Cup Saturday at Cane Creek Golf Course.

"It was a close day," Evens captain Jeremy McGatha said. "A one-point lead is better than being down, but we've got a long way to go."

The event winner will be decided in today's singles matches. It takes 4 1-2 points to win.

The teams split the best-ball format two points apiece.

In the afternoon session, the Evens got wins from Ott Chandler-Brennan Clay and McGatha-Matt Rogers and an important half-point when Jason Johnson and T.J. McGatha halved with Grant Hockman and Cypress Hathorn.

"That was very big," McGatha said of his dad's point. "They got beat pretty good (in the morning), but to come back and get a halve was very big."

Johnson and the elder McGatha won the 16th hole to even their match, then halved 17 and 18.

Jeremy McGatha, Rogers and Clay all won two points.

The Odds had five of the wins during the Best of the Best Series, but they only got 1.5 points from them Saturday — and they all came from Hockman. Jaylon Ellison and David Martin, a late alternate, won the other two points for the Odds.

"It's pretty close, but I knew it was going to be this way," Burgess said. "I knew it was all going to come down to tomorrow."