NATCHEZ — After bogeying the par-3 6th hole, Kevin Smith Jr. birdied three of the next four holes Saturday en route to a round of 4-under-par 67 and a two-shot lead in the first round of the 2008 Bill McKinney Memorial City Golf Championship at Duncan Park.

The bogey on No. 6 was the only hiccup in what was a solid round of golf for Smith Jr., who made the turn at 2-under-par after birdies on Nos. 7, 9, and 10. He then birdied the par-5 14th and the par-4 16th.

“I was just trying to keep it out of trouble and play it tee to green,” Smith Jr. said. “Trying to make pars and a few birdies along the way. I just didn’t do anything to get in trouble.”

Smith Jr. said he was surprised that he shot such a low score on Duncan Park’s golf course. He then said he would probably have to shoot an even lower score to win the City Championship.

“I’ve been playing a lot out here the last few months. You always want to shoot better than you did today.”

Smith Jr., along with many of the other 79 participants in this year’s city championship, commended Duncan Park certified course supervisor Greg Brooking on the job he did getting the course ready for play.

Casey Ham and Kurt Russ are tied for second place in the championship flight after each fired a round of 2-under-par 69 — which happened to be the only other rounds under par in Saturday’s first round.

Ham was at 4-under-par until bogeys at the par-3 15th and the par-4 18th kept him from a possible share of the lead. Russ, on the other hand, birdied his final two holes, No. 4 and No. 2, for his 69.

“Up and down” is how Ham described his round. “I played solid, but left some (birdies) out there. I was in good position all day.”

Despite the tough finish, Ham said he feels pretty good about his chances on winning his first city title.

“I hit the ball well. Didn’t putt exceptionally good,” Russ said. “Golf course is in terrific condition. I probably left three or four (birdies) out there. Didn’t make any long putts at all.”

As for what Russ felt like he would have to shoot today to win, he said, “Probably a 65.”

Eleven-time city champion Pete Powell, Bill Byrne, and Jordan Farmer are four shots back at 71, but they had different paths to get to that point.

Byrne, who had six birdies, was at 4-under-par through nine holes and then a bogey started his round going the wrong direction. A double bogey on No. 13 and another bogey coming in cost him what could have been a good round.

“I played the par-3s in 3-over. I know the par-3s are key,” Byrne said. “I was fairly pleased. I’ve got to eliminate the mistakes. The course is in the best shape I’ve ever seen it in in my life. The greens are rolling fast and smooth.”

Powell could have actually shot worse than even par had it not been for a great shot on No. 12.

“I hit it out of bounds on 12. Then I hit it to six feet and made par,” Powell said. “I missed a lot of greens. I chipped pretty good, but my putter let me down at times. I was pulling everything left of the hole.” He described his round as “kind of straggly.”

Farmer had two bogeys in the middle of his round, but kept it together down the stretch and managed to finish at even par and is still in it.

“I want to thank Dee Barron, superintendent at Beau Pré, who loaned us the roller, which sped up the greens, and John Michael Powell, Dee’s assistant, who drove the machine,” Brooking said. “Ross Simonton, assistant at Hattiesburg Country Club, came out and set up the course. I also want to thank George Walker with the R&A (Royal & Ancient Golf Club in Great Britain) as well as Dwayne David and Tom Bryant for their assistance.”

Tournament director Dick Walcott said he was pleased with the turnout for this year’s city championship.

“Eighty players in the field is a good number. This is the hottest time of the year,” Walcott said. He added that most of the players, especially the more experienced ones, were happy about the tournament using the rules set by the United States Golf Association.

“Not picking up the ball and playing it where it lies increases the pace of play. That’s the way it ought to be,” Walcott said. “This is a championship and it should be played by the rules of golf. The others will realize what kind of player they are. It makes it a better game.”

The tee times for the final round will start at 8 a.m. with the final pairing teeing off at 11:30 a.m.