Hamden, Connecticut (July 25, 2022) – Following two lightning delays play on day one of the 88th Connecticut Open at New Haven Country was suspended due to darkness with a handful of groups still on the course. First round play will resume on Tuesday morning at 7:30 a.m. with the second round to immediately follow.
2020 champion Max Theodorakis (Ridgewood CC) is the leader in the clubhouse at 5-under however the low score currently belongs to Dylan Newman (Brae Burn CC) who sits at 6-under with just the par-5 18th hole remaining in his opening round.
Newman, the winner of the 2021 PGA Stroke Play Championship, was nearly flawless through 17 holes rolling in seven birdies and just one bogey. Even-par after six holes Newman began his charge with a birdie on par-4 seventh, the first of five birdies in a row. Newman cooled off briefly with a par on No. 12 before birdieing the 13th and 15th holes to reach 7-under.
Despite a dropped shot on the par-3 17th the 2022 PGA Championship participant will be in a prime position to hold the lead following the first round.
The low round in the morning wave belonged to Max Theodorakis who fired a 5-under 65. Beginning his day on the back nine Theodorakis opened his round with a birdie on No. 10 and then three holes later reached 2-under when he knocked his second shot on the uphill par-4 13th to a foot. A third birdie followed on the par-4 15th as Theodorakis methodically posted a 3-under 33 opening nine.
“I think I play these old-style New England courses pretty well. I hit a lot of greens and a lot of fairways,” said Theodorakis. “I had a couple of three putts so I want to try and clean that up for tomorrow but I basically just kept it in play. Honestly, I didn’t make many putts so I just want to keep giving myself good looks tomorrow.”
Theodorakis continued his fine play on the front nine as he rolled in three more birdies to offset his lone bogey of the day.
“I have been practicing a lot and last week I went to Orlando to meet with my coach and to clean some things up. My game is feeling really good and I hope to continue that tomorrow,” Theodorakis said.
Geoff Gelderman (H. Smith Richardson GC) is in third place at 4-under while Michael VanDerLaan (Golf Performance Center), Anthony Guerrera (Watertown GC), Matt Shubley (Great River GC), and Cody Paladino (Hartford GC) who is through 15 holes are tied for fourth place at 2-under.
Following the completion of Tuesday’s second round the field will be cut to the top-40 and ties for Wednesday’s final round.
About the Connecticut State Golf Association
The Connecticut Open 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.
