Austin's Alex Thorson holds form on a shot at the Class 'AAA' state golf meet in Bunker Hills Golf Course in Coon Rapids, Minn. Tuesday. -- Kessa Albright/Albert Lea Tribune

COON RAPIDS — Austin junior Alex Thorson is in position for a solid finish after the first day of the Class ‘AAA’ state boys golf meet in Bunker Hills golf Course.

Thorson shot a 78 on Tuesday, which was tied with eight other golfers for the 25th best score out of the 88 golfers in the field.

“It wasn’t too bad, but I struggled early and I wasn’t making putts,” Thorson said. “I’ve got a lot of room to improve and hopefully I can make some more putts tomorrow.”

Thorson shot a 39 on the front nine and the back nine.

He said the course is as a tough one to play, but now he has a better idea of what to expect on Wednesday’s final round.

“It’s pretty difficult,” Thorson said. “You have to hit the fairways and the greens are really tricky.”

Jon Dutoit, a senior from Chaska, shot a 69 to lead the field on the first day.