Day One of the Providence Open
PROVIDENCE: An overnight shower softened Triggs Memorial enough for some of the top pros in the field to go low. First round leader Jimmy Lytle posted an early six-under 66 to lead all players.
Lytle’s 66 is one ahead of five players tied at five-under, including recent Massachusetts Open Champion Jimmy Hazen. With one round remaining Lytle can exact a little revenge from the Mass Open where Hazen edged him out by one stroke at Wellesley Country Club in June.
It’s been a spectacular season for Lytle who finished in the top 20 in the eGolf Tour Championship two weeks ago. The former Elon University standout qualified for the 2004 US Amateur and has already won several mini tour events this season.
The Providence Open is collaborating with a two day event at Crestwood CC Friday and Saturday where 18 pros are competing for a paid entry into this falls PGA Tour Qualifying School. The events are running separately with a winner declared for both 36 hole events, with the low 72 hole score winning their way to Q-School. With a shot at Q-School on the line players fired fearlessly at pins.
Dustin Cone returned to Triggs as the two-time defending champ, his ten-under 134 last year was two strokes better than the field and three better than recent RI amateur champion Garrett Medieros.
Originally from Vermont, Cone is having a successful season carding a dozen top ten finishes including a win at the Abacoa 2-Day in Jupiter, FL but an opening even par 72 will hurt his chances in what tournament director Dave Adamonis Jr. refers to as a “shootout.” Cone sits tied for 37th right now with 18 holes to play tomorrow.
Kevin Blaser of Fall River, MA and Ryan Coughlin of Rye, NY are tied at 3-under for low amateur after the first round.
