NATCHEZ — The temperature soared Saturday afternoon at the Beau Pré Country Club Championship, and some of the scores soared right along with it.

After the first of two rounds, Jay Lessley shot a four-under-par 68 and has a three-shot lead over Bill Byrne.

Lessley and Byrne are the only two players under par, although Jeff Anderson and Trampus Butler shot an even-par 72 and are five shots off the pace.

“Jay has been playing very consistent golf recently, and that is the reason he’s out front, Beau Pré golf pro Dwayne David said. “And all Bill does it hit greens in regulation. He’s like a robot in that regards.”

Although there were a few people who had good rounds, David said the scores were higher than he expected.

“The scores are quite a bit higher than usual,” David said. “I don’t know if it was heat related or what. We had some good rounds out there today but I expected more low rounds than we had.”

David said the conditions were hot and sticky, and a late-afternoon rain shower did little except bring the humidity up even higher.

There are 50 players in the tournament, which includes a senior classification for players between the ages of 50 and 69 and a super senior classification for players 70 or older.

The regular classification is broken into a championship flight and three other flights.

David said he expects today to be a day of good and exciting golf.

“There are lots of people who have a chance to win,” David said. “It’s a tough challenge, not only physically, but mentally. The cream will rise to the top.”