For the first time in several years, Conrad Roberts won’t enter the Lawrence Amateur Golf Association’s city tournament as the defending champion.

That’s just fine by him.

Roberts, a six-time city champion, took eighth last year, watching Tyler Cummins win the event with a two-day total of 141. Roberts will have his chance for a comeback, starting with his 9:06 a.m. tee time today.

“We’re all shooting after Tyler,” Roberts said. “We all want to make sure he doesn’t repeat. If that’s to happen, we’re all going to have to play really well. Tyler is a very good player. I’m not upset that he has the target on his back right now.”

There are 52 people competing in the city tournament at Eagle Bend, with two men’s flights, two senior flights, two super seniors flights and a women’s flight, but only 10 men are entered in the men’s championship flight.

However, the championship flight still has plenty of contenders, with William Gantz and Kit Grove back on the course after tying for second place last year. Chris Hutchens, a two-time letter-winner on Kansas University’s golf team; Casey Old, the director of rules and competitions of the KGA; and Free State High junior Jack Flynn are also in the championship field.

“It’s definitely going to be a competitive field,” assistant golf pro Ryan Cloud said. “We have some really good and solid players in the championship flight.”

A scheduling conflict cost the tournament more competitors, as two of the biggest golfing events in the state also landed on this weekend. Now the city tournament will have both rounds — today and Sunday — at Eagle Bend instead of incorporating another Lawrence course.

Despite fewer golfers in the field than in past years, those left are looking forward to facing off against each other.

“I love competing, and I especially love competing on a local level,” Roberts said, “because then you get to compete against your friends. That’s what makes this great game so much fun.”