Columbus, Ohio – The opening round of the 2025 Southern Ohio PGA Tour Championship at Scioto Country Club felt exactly like a season finale should: a storied club, a stacked leaderboard and a crispy October morning that gave way to a golden afternoon. The golf gets demanding this time of year and that was certainly the case at Scioto Country Club Tuesday morning.
Two champions share the top of the board. Defending champion Bob Sowards, of Kinsale Golf & Fitness Club, and two-time champion Sam Arnold, of Vineyard Golf Course, each signed for rounds of 72. They took different paths to get there.
Arnold led the field in par-breakers, carding three birdies and a spectacular eagle on the par-5 12th. The field played Scioto’s championship routing, which converts the normally scorable par-5 8th into a brutish par 4. Scoring came at a premium. Arnold made double-bogey on the 8th and a bogey on the par-3 9th hole before catching fire. He birdied 10, made the crazy eagle on 12 before following that up with a birdie on the classy, yet challenging 13th. Two more bogeys coming home tempered an otherwise world-class back nine.
Sowards started with four steady pars, highlighted by a remarkable up-and-down at the par-3 4th. From short right of the elevated green, he faced an impossible angle to a middle-pin position. Anything long or above the hole leaves a putt that, as Scioto caddies say, “breaks either way, depending on the green’s mood.” Sowards guessed right—his 15-footer for par found the bottom. Four bogeys and two birdies later, the winning Ohio Cup captain posted his own +2 72.
Behind them, the chasing pack is stacked with some familiar names. Jared Jones of Scioto sits alone in third at four-over 74, just two shots back on his home course. Three players, Kyler Booher, Trent Kopala, and Andy Montgomery, are another stroke behind at +5, setting up a crowded and compelling final round. Ten players are within six shots of the lead.
Scioto shined as it always does. Its greens keep their secrets even from veteran eyes, and when they’re running at nearly 14 on the Stimpmeter, every putt feels like a test of nerve. Birdies were earned, never gifted.
In the associate division, Jon McDonald and Max Helgreen are tied at +9. Taylor Holt sits six shots back. Also at stake Wednesday, the 2025 Rolex Women’s Player of the Year. Ashley Thomas has a narrow lead in the points race over Melissa Yeazell. The two are separated by a shot heading into the final round.