KANNAPOLIS — The 54th annual North Carolina Open got underway on Tuesday at The Club at Irish Creek, with 152 of the top golfers from North and South Carolina.

Three players — Patrick Cover of Cornelius, Peter Skirpstas of Jacksonville and Matt Bick of Pinehurst — fired 4-under par 66s, to lead after the first round. The three-round event concludes on Thursday.

The top local golfer in the first round was Michael Childress, of Salisbury. Childress, a Cannon School senior and University of Richmond signee, is tied for 21st, following an even-par 70.

One of the eight players tied with Childress is Concord’s Walker Cress, who just finished his freshman year at James Madison.

Concord’s Stephen Carroll had a 2-over 72 (44th) and Lansdon Robbins of Davidson, a teammate of Childress’ at Cannon, shot a 73 (60th).

Davis Richards, of South Rowan and N.C. State, is tied for 83rd place after a 75 on Tuesday. Parker Chavis, another South Rowan grad and currently at Cape Fear Community College, also shot a 75.

Logan Shuping, a former East Rowan standout and a sophomore at East Carolina, carded a 77 (tied for 106th place).

Andrew Morgan, of China Grove, also a South Rowan grad, shot an 81.