Greg Sanders carded four birdies Thursday to claim the first-round lead in the Alaska State Amateur golf tournament.

Sanders was the only player to break par on a picture-perfect day at the Moose Run Creek Course.

He scored a two-under 70, with the birdies allowing him to make up for two bogeys.

Sanders owns a three-shot lead over defending champion Dave Hamilton, whose 73 puts him one stroke ahead of Kevin Daniels. Also lurking in contention after firing 75s are Michael Oldenkamp and Paul Blanche.

Hamilton won his first state am last year when rain wiped out the fourth round and turned the tournament into a 54-hole event. He won with a three-round total of 214, with Sanders placing second with 219.

In the women's competition, defending champion Terri McAngus shot 75 to grab a three-stroke lead over Rose Pelletier.

Golfers play at Moose Run's Creek Course again Friday before heading to Settlers Bay in Knik on Saturday and Sunday.

Alaska State Amateur

First Round -- Moose Run Creek Course

Women's championship flight -- 1) Terri McAngus 75, 2) Rose Pelletier 78, 3) Susan Gatewood 87; 4) Teresa Fisher 89; 5) Pamela Chesla 94.

Men's championship flight -- 1) Greg Sanders 70, 2) Dave Hamilton 73, 3) Kevin Daniels 74, 4) tie, Michael Oldenkamp and Paul Blanche 75; 6) tie, Adam Baxter, Chad Isaacs and McKenzy Haber 77; 9) Benji Sumulong 78; 10) Peter Hakes 79; 11) tie, Matt Deselernos and Michael Sullivan 80; 13) tie, Mark McMahon and Michael Rinella 81; 15) Richard Teders 84; 16) tie, Chris Marin, Joe Rafson, Travis Heyroth and William Arnold 85; 20) Marcus Dolejsi 86, 21) tie, Luke Blum, Nick Karnos and Paul Lindhag 87; 24) Kyle Farrell 88; 25) Rene Alvarez 89; 26) John Gose 96.