WINONA &045; After narrowly missing the Big Nine Conference boys’ golf championship earlier in the week, you had to wonder how the Albert Lea Tigers would respond in the opening round of the Section 1AA tournament.

They responded like champions.

The Tigers have the lead after the first 18 holes of the tournament, shooting a 315 Thursday at Winona Country Club.

&uot;We’re very happy to be in the position we’re at right now,&uot; said coach Doug Christopherson.

But the rest of the field isn’t far behind. Only 12 strokes separate Albert Lea and the eighth-place team, Winona. Christopherson can’t remember it ever being any closer.

Eagan shot 319, followed by Owatonna with 320, Red Wing 322, Faribault 323, Big Nine champ Rochester Century 323, Rosemount 325 and Winona 327.

Ryan Thompson, who led the Tigers in Tuesday’s Big Nine tournament at Austin Country Club, continued his strong play with a 3-over-par 74, the best round of the day.

Following for the Tigers were Josh Jones, 77; Dan Breuer, 80; Adam Elseth, 84; Adam Boelter, 89; Jon Breuer, 93.

&uot;We were hoping for under 320 and we got it &045; Winona Country Club is tough,&uot; said Christopherson. &uot;There were a lot of scores in the 80s today. Our kids have to be congratulated. They played very well.&uot;

The final 18 is Tuesday at 10:15 a.m. at Bellwood Oaks near Hastings. The first-place team and top five individuals not on that team advance to the state tournament June 3-5.