Pushed back a day because of yet another in a series of heavy rainstorms, the 113th Massachusetts Amateur got underway Tuesday and promptly, some notable names jumped into contention at Brae Burn Country Club.

Andy Luther of Boston Golf Club and George Zolotas of Tedesco each shot 4-under 68 to lead a small parade of 12 sub-par rounds. Five of those 12 are former winners of this championship – Patrick Frodigh (2018) at 69; Ben Spitz (’06) at 70; and Frank Vana (’04, ’05), Ryan Riley (’11), and Matt Parziale (’17) at 71.

Validating the supreme consistency and fairness to the long day of golf at this Donald Ross layout, Luther went off in the third group from the first tee, while Zolotas teed off in the penultimate pairing from the 10th tee. Both turned in impressive scores in similar fashion – feasting on the back nine.

Luther was a quiet 1-under 34 on the front, then got it going on his back nine with four birdies between the 10th and 15th. Only a bogey at the par-4 18th hole prevented him from having the outright lead.

Zolotas, meanwhile, went 6-under on his first six holes – birdies at 10 and 12, an eagle at the par-5 13th, then birdies at 14 and 15. He got it to 7-under with another birdie at his 10th hole, the par-4 first, but played the next eight holes in 3-over, including bogeys at Nos. 6, 7, and 8.

A second round of medal play will be held today, after which the field will be trimmed to the low 32 players and head into match play. -- JIM McCABE