Steven Fox tees off on the eighth hole during the first round of the U.S. Open golf tournament in this file photo.

The champ is on the ropes.

Defending U.S. Amateur champion Steven Fox shot a 2-over-par 72 at The Country Club in Brookline, Mass., and will need a better round today at the Charles River Country Club in nearby Newton to make the field of 64 for match play.

"It's been warming by coming back to a tournament that I won," Fox said via cell phone. "It's nice coming back to something that changed your life for one year."

The former University of Tennessee at Chattanooga golfer has himself hovering around the cut line.

"Overall, it wasn't a bad day," Fox said. "You're not going to make a bunch of birdies here. I'm going to do all I can tomorrow at the other course."

Matt Emery, a former Baylor School golfer and rising Lee University senior, shot a 1-under 71 at Charles River on Monday and will play The Country Club this morning.

"I couldn't get too hyped up about it," said Emery, who is playing in the most prestigious tournament of his life. "It was awesome. I had a smile on my face the whole time. I'm going to have fun with it.

"I believe that I can make it to match play and do well."

Contact David Uchiyama at duchiyama@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6484.