August 24 — Jeff Wilson, a Connecticut car dealer fired a 10-under 62 to take a seven-shot lead over his nearest competitors in the opening round of stroke play at the 2010 U.S. Amateur Championship in University Place, Wash.
Wilson, 47, notched two eagles, seven birdies, and a bogey Monday on the 7,240-yard, par-72 Home Course. He missed by two strokes sharing the lowest score ever in the tourney’s history, a 60, which Billy Horschel shot in 2006, according to the USGA.
Strong finish. With two straight eagles to complete his round, Wilson tied a USGA scoring record with an incoming-nine score of 29. He hit a 3-wood from 262 yards on the par-5 eighth hole and made the eight-foot putt. Wilson followed that up by canning a 134-wedge shot on the par-4 ninth.
“I’m still trying to figure out what happened,” Wilson told the USGA following his first round. “Finishing eagle-eagle didn’t hurt. I made a lot of putts. I made all the putts I should have made and a few that I shouldn’t have.”
Amateur history. Wilson, from Fairfield, Conn., has a storied history as an amateur. He was low amateur at the 2000 U.S. Open at Pebble Beach Golf Links. He was stroke-play medalist at four USGA event (U.S. Amateur in 2000, and U.S. Mid-Amateur in 2000, 2001, and 2004).
This is Wilson’s ninth time as a U.S. Amateur contestant. It will be interesting to see if Wilson can maintain his impressive lead after playing the longer Chambers Bay course on Tuesday. At 7,742 yards, the par-71 layout is the longest course in USGA history.
Speaking of which, Patrick Reed was in second place after posting a 3-under 68 at Chambers Bay. Richard Werenski (South Hadley, Mass.) was among seven players who shot 69 at The Home Course.
In contention. Other New Englanders in the hunt included Tommy McDonagh (Norwalk, Conn.) and Scott Congdon (Foxboro, Mass.) in with 71s at Chambers Bay and The Home Course, respectively. Cameron Wilson (Rowayton, Conn.) shot a 72 at The Home Course, while Antonio Grillo (Martha’s Vineyard, Mass.) carded a 74 on the same track.
Other names familiar to New England golfers who are teeing it up this week at the U.S. Am include:
- Jeff Hedden (Old Lyme, Conn.) — 77, HC
Brian Higgins (Bellingham, Mass.) — 78, HC
Frank Vana Jr. (Shrewsbury, Mass.) — 78, HC
(Emily Kay is a regular contributor to New England Golf Monthly. Check her out at the Boston Golf Examiner and National Golf Examiner websites.)
Related posts:
- Vana takes early lead in Massachusetts State Amateur Championship
- U.S. Open 2010: New England golfer Jon Curran hopes to
- NEW ENGLAND AMATEUR TOUR DEBUTS IN 2010
- John Hadges Captures Second Career Mass Amateur Championship
- Massachusetts Amateur Championship: Defending champ Drohen DQ'd, Vana advances
