Jeff Curl of Ellington, Conn. and Eric Steger of Rocky Hill, Conn. both fired rounds of five under-par 67 at Torrington Country Club to share the overnight lead after the first round of the 79th Connecticut Open Championship. The state’s top open event is being held July 29th – 31st at the 6,589 yard, par 72 Torrington Country Club.
Both Curl and Steger began their day in similar fashion before finding a spark midway through their round. Curl began his round with eight straight pars and made his first birdie of the day after draining a long putt on the par-5 16th hole. After another birdie on the 18th hole, Curl continued his momentum on the front nine with birdies on Holes #4, 5, and 7 to finish his day at five under.
“I played really solid today tee to green and only missed one green all day,” said Curl. “The putt on #16 and the birdie #18 really seemed to jump-start my round, and it was one of those days that could’ve been really low if I made a few more putts.”
Curl is seeking his second Connecticut Open Championship after successfully capturing the title in 2007 at Lake of Isles. Following his win, Curl spent five years on the PGA Web.com Tour, earning close to $300,000 in winnings over that span. Although he is hoping that a win this week could catapult his career, Curl is content just to be competing again in his home state.
“It’s really good to be back playing up here. All of my family and friends were here watching today who didn’t get a chance to see me play when I was traveling, so it was a lot of fun out there,” said Curl, who tees off Tuesday at 12:30 p.m.
He shares the lead with Eric Steger, who also posted a round of 67 in the afternoon after a steady breeze increased the average score by nearly two shots. Steger had a slow start to his round and was one-over for the day standing on the par-5 12th hole. After hitting his second shot to inside six feet, he rolled in the eagle putt to jump into red figures. He would go on to record five more birdies, only offset by a lone bogey on the 3rd.
“It got pretty windy as the day went on, so I am definitely happy with that score,” said Steger. He graduated from Ball State University in 2011 and is seeking to capture his first Connecticut Open title in his debut appearance. A member of TPC River Highlands, Steger relocated to Connecticut from Indiana last year and currently plays professionally on the NGA Tour.
Three players are tied just one stroke back at four under-par. Among those is PGA Professional Daniel Balin of Greenwich, Conn., who is looking to add the Connecticut Open to his impressive resume. He recently captured the New York State Open Championship for the second straight year, and will be playing in his fourth consecutive PGA Championship next week at Oak Hill Country Club in Rochester, New York.
Also tied at 68 is two-time Connecticut Amateur Champion Tommy McDonagh of East Norwalk, Connecticut. McDonagh is sure to have some good memories at Torrington Country Club, having captured his first Connecticut Amateur in 2006 on the same course. His round included an eagle on the par-4 9th hole after holing out from the fairway, and he followed it up with three birdies on Holes #10, 12 and 15 to finish just one stroke back. He was paired with 2011 Connecticut Amateur Champion Matt Smith of Thompson, Conn., who fired a round of three under-par 69. Since their wins at the Amateur, both Smith and McDonagh are professionals and are hoping to take home the winner’s check of $12,500.
Top Amateurs Seeking First Open Title
A trio of amateurs highlighted the top 10 after day one, with Jeff Hogan of Watertown Golf Club firing a 4-under par round of 68 and Christopher Swift of Great River Golf Club and Blake Morris of Country Club of Waterbury both shooting 69. Hogan, who is playing in his first Connecticut Open, is hoping to become the first amateur since 2008 to win the title. Jeff Hedden was the last amateur to capture the Connecticut Open, when he won in a playoff at Round Hill Club.
“I really did a good job of hitting it in the right spots and keeping it below the hole,” said Hogan. “I had zero expectations coming into the week and I just wanted to go out, have fun and try to make the cut. To be in this position is exciting- I’m just going to try to go out tomorrow and play my game.”
What’s in a Cut?
Following Tuesday’s round, the field will be cut to the low 40 players, plus ties. Those players will advance to play the final round on Wednesday, July 31st. After day one, there are 41 players at 73 (+1) or better, with sixteen players just one shot outside the current cut line at 74 (+2). Based on the projected cut method used by the USGA, the cut line would fall at 146 (+2).
Notable Players
Jason Caron (2012 Conn. Open Champion) – 71 (-1) – T14
Ken Green (Five-time PGA Tour Winner) – 71 (-1) – T14
Frank Bensel (2009 & 2011 Conn. Open Champion) – 72 (E) – T24
Kevin Josephson (a) (Medalist, 2013 Connecticut Amateur) – 72 (E) – T24
Kyle Gallo (Four-time Connecticut Open Champion) – 72 (E) – T24
About the Event
Conducted by the Connecticut State Golf Association, the Connecticut Open is the only CSGA Championship that is open to both amateurs and professionals. The tournament tests the state’s top golfers over three rounds of stroke play at the renowned Torrington Country Club in Goshen, Connecticut. The total purse for the tournament is $50,000, with the professional champion capturing a winner’s check of $12,500.
