5 months after surgery, former U.S. Amateur champ Andy Ogletree makes his move at Sanderson Farms

Andy Ogletree is doing just fine.

Five months after hip surgery, Ogletree charged up the leaderboard during the first round of the Sanderson Farms Championship on Thursday.

The Union High School graduate and Little Rock native shot 5-under-par 67 to open the PGA Tour tournament at Country Club of Jackson, putting him in a tie for fifth at the time his round ended.

“Regardless of the score, playing pain free that’s most important to me right now,” Ogletree said. “It’s kind of freed me up, I mean, I don’t really have any expectations. This is my first PGA Tour event in six months. Obviously, I’m pleased with the start, but I’m more happy to be pain-free and just to be playing golf.”

The Sanderson Farms Championship was the tournament Ogletree had aimed to make his return to golf after a few months of rehab. It was a homecoming of sorts for the 23-year-old, who left his home state for Georgia Tech after high school and went on to win the 2019 U.S. Amateur. After his media session, he was welcomed by two lines of supporters, whom he greeted.

RAMEY RETURNS: Former Mississippi State golfer Chad Ramey back at PGA Tour Sanderson Farms Championship

“I’m really happy to be playing in Mississippi,” Ogletree said. “A lot of familiar faces out here this week. A lot of friends and family are watching, so it’s a good time and I’m glad everyone gets to see me play.”

Ogletree said he plays better with spectators. His first nine PGA Tour events did not include crowds due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The feeling of playing near home was intensified by his pairing Thursday with fellow Mississippi native Chad Ramey, who shot 2-under 70. Kurt Kitayama, a Chico, California, native, also was in the group.

“Really comfortable pairing today obviously playing with Chad, he went to Mississippi State and I’ve kind of had a lot of connections with him,” Ogletree said. “I had some connections with Kurt as well. We had a good time and everyone’s playing well, so I think that kind of momentum piece off of each other and makes it a lot easier.”

Ramey and Ogletree are two of five Mississippians participating this year, in addition to Cohen Trolio, Davis Riley and Hayden Buckley. Ramey, 29, is the oldest player among the locals, with the others 25 or younger.

“Everyone’s kind of making their way up on the PGA Tour now so it’s really cool to see all the young guys from Mississippi, it shows a lot,” Ogletree said.

Ogletree, who will tee off Friday at 1:28 p.m., gave credit to the Mississippi Junior Golf Association for the state’s success. The association began in 2000 and is highlighted by a Ryder Cup-style tournament against Louisiana’s top junior golfers. A junior amateur champion is crowned every season, according to its official website. Ramey was the junior amateur champion in 2009 and 2010, and Trolio, Buckley and Ogletree were all on Team Mississippi rosters against Louisiana.

“I think we all played that when we were super young,” he said. “I think people don’t realize how good the talent level is in Mississippi and it’s good to see everyone doing well.”

Contact Rashad Milligan at 601-862-6198 or Jmilligan@gannett.com. Follow @RashadMilligan on Twitter.