LINCOLN, Neb. – Anthony Simonsen and Lincoln have some history. If Simonsen has his way, there will be even more history added to the list this week at the U.S. Open.

Simonsen held the lead after the first round of match play Friday with a 40-game total of 9,101 (+1,101), a 223.03 average, at Sun Valley Lanes. The 24-player match-play field will return Saturday for the final 16 games to determine the stepladder finalists.

The last time Simonsen visited Lincoln it was for the 2016 World Bowling Youth Championships as a member of Junior Team USA. He won three gold medals in that event but was also suspended from the team for a code of conduct violation for drinking.

RESULTS: U.S. Open Match Play Round 1

“The first day when I walked in here there was a little nostalgia knowing there are good and bad memories tied into Lincoln,” Simonsen said. “The good ones outweigh the bad ones in my opinion.”

The experience on the lanes four years ago helped Simonsen feel more at ease when he came into this year’s U.S. Open.

“I think that’s helped, knowing that I’ve bowled here before and that my ball is capable of going through the pins really well,” Simonsen said. “I think that’s allowed me to be more comfortable.”

In Friday’s opening round of match play, Simonsen posted a 6-2 record to occupy the top spot in the standings. He leads Jason Belmonte by 126 pins.

Belmonte, who is looking to win his first career U.S. Open, hopes to make his fourth consecutive show this week. He sits in second place with a 4-4 record and a total of 8,975 (+975).

Dick Allen made a big move up the leaderboard in the opening round of match play, posting 6-1-1 record for a total of 8,930 (+930).

The winners of the first two majors of the season are fourth and fifth in the standings. Kris Prather is in the fourth position with 8,874 (+874), while Bill O’Neill is fifth with 8,815 (+815).

Sitting just outside the current cut number in sixth place is PBA Hall of Famer and 40-time champion Norm Duke, who is just 23 pins off the show currently with 8,792 (+792).