Fifteen-year-old Danny Barlow of Ferriday shot a 10-over-par 81 to take a one-shot lead over defending champion Lee Jones in the boys 15-18 age group in the first round of the 2001 Natchez Junior Golf Championships Thursday at the Duncan Park Golf Course.

Barlow had two birdies, two double bogeys and a triple bogey during his round.

&uot;I had a few bad holes and a few good ones,&uot; said Barlow. &uot;My putting saved me a lot. I made a lot of pars because of my putting.&uot;

Jones, who had an 11-over-par 82, did not want to talk about his play in the first round.

Barlow added, &uot;We both didn’t play good. I think we’ll both play good tomorrow (Friday). But he (Jones) has a lot more tournament experience than I do.&uot;

Akeem West in third place in the 15-18 age group with a 103.

Barlow, Jones and West are 18 holes each day during the two-day tournament.

In the boys 12-14 age group (nine holes each day), Jon Davis King shot a six-over 41 to take a four-shot lead over Jake Kaiser.

&uot;I think it was good solid round today,&uot; said King. &uot;I hit a lot of good shots and I was putting the ball pretty good.&uot;

&uot;I played horrible. I had some bad shots amd some more bad shots. I had some bad putts,&uot; said Kaiser, 12.

&uot;Actually, I did putt good the first two holes and two-putted the rest of the holes, except for one hole that I three-putted. I hope to play better tomorrow,&uot; he said.

In the boys 11-and-under age group (seven holes each day), Geoffrey Martin and William Wilson are tied for the lead after each finished with a 55.

Tee times for today’s final round begin at 8 a.m.