Windsor, Connecticut (August 6, 2024) – On an overcast and wet first day of the 39th Connecticut Public Links Adam Friedman fired a 3 under 67 to grab hold of the first round lead.
Playing in one of the first groups of the day at Keney Park Golf Course Friedman (Great River GC) played a nearly flawless round recording four birdies and just a bogey on the last.
Friedman, in search of his first CSGA major win, opened his round with four consecutive pars before jump-starting his day with a 60-foot birdie putt on the par-4 fifth.
After a run of pars to close out the opening nine Friedman converted his second birdie of the day on the par-4 10th before adding additional birdies on Nos. 12 and 16 to get as low as 4 under.
Despite giving a shot back on the closing par-3 Friedman, who made a strong run at last week’s Connecticut Open, finds himself as the player to catch heading into the final round. “I hit 17 greens today and was just kind of steady from tee to green. I wasn’t trying to do too much,” said Friedman.
That strategy will leave Friedman one shot in front of Liam Blanc (Great River GC) who will begin the final round at 2 under and in second place. Blanc played his way into the final group with birdies on Nos. 6, 9, and 13 while he bogeyed just once.
Five players will begin the final round two shots back at 1 under. The group includes defending champion Peter Tomlinson (Orange Hills CC), Chris Flowers (H. Smith Richardson GC), Dave Jones (Mohegan Sun GC), Connecticut Amateur semifinalist Ashton Lewis (H. Smith Richardson GC), and Patrick McGuiness who is playing on his home course.
Lewis recorded the shot of the day jarring an ace on the par-3 sixth hole.
After the completion of the first round, the top 36 players and ties advanced to the final round which is set to begin at 8 a.m. on Wednesday morning.
About the Connecticut State Golf Association
The Connecticut Public Links is one of 20 championships conducted by the Connecticut State Golf Association. The CSGA functions as an extension of the USGA and provides stewardship for amateur golf in Connecticut. Founded in 1899, it is the country’s oldest state golf association and conducts over 60 Championships, Qualifiers, and One Day Tournaments throughout the year.
