Caron Secures Wire-to-Wire Victory in Long Island Open
Jason Caron
SANDS POINT, N.Y. (October 21, 2020) – Jason Caron’s 2-under 68 on Wednesday at Sands Point Golf Club sealed his wire-to-wire victory in the 96th Long Island Open Championship Presented by Stifel. The Mill River Club head professional was the lone player to card three rounds under-par (69-68-68), leading him to a 5-under tournament total and a five-shot victory.
“Coming in here, I was feeling great about my game,” said Caron, who has been on a roll this season with a win in the Met PGA Championship and runner-up finishes in both the Met PGA Head Professional Championship and New York State Open. “I didn’t practice a ton, because a lot of times its mental more than anything else. And, mentally, if you feel like you’re playing well, a lot of times you can kind of get up by the lead and hopefully get the job done.”
The game plan certainly worked for Caron, who entered the final round one shot ahead of good friend Danny Balin of Fresh Meadow. After a steady start, the 48 year-old then tallied four birdies in a five-hole stretch to gain some breathing room.
Birdies on Nos. 8 and 9 extended the two-time PGA Championship competitor’s lead to three shots. After Balin made birdie on the 10th, Caron quickly responded with back-to-back birdies once again.
On the par-4 11th, Caron hit his 80-yard approach shot from the right rough within 20 feet and slid in a challenging, sliding putt. “As soon as I hit it, I thought it had perfect pace if it hangs in there, and it did,” said Caron. “So, fortunate for that one to go in.”
What Caron called his best shot of the week came next on the par-3 12th, as he stuffed a 5-hybrid to four feet and cleaned up the birdie bid to extend his lead to four shots.
While back-to-back bogeys came on the par-5 14th and par-4 15th, a long two-putt par from the lower level of the par-4 16th green got him back on track. Balin faced a similar look, but three-putted for bogey, making Caron’s lead three with just two holes to play. A pair of pars sealed the title for Caron.
“I’m happy with my game. It was a great season for me,” he said. “I have to thank my wife, she gave me a tip almost two years ago and since then it’s been a game-changer to be honest. So, making putts, staying home with the kids, everything’s kind of working out.”
Balin finished tied for second alongside Matt Dobyns of Meadow Brook and Lucas Cromeenes of Maidstone, all posting 2-under 208 totals. Ben Polland of Deepdale rounded out those finishing the championship under-par, placing fifth at 1-under 209.
Matt Lowe of North Hills took sixth at 1-over 211. Six players finished tied seventh at 2-over 212, including David Abolt of Meadow Brook—who matched Cromeenes and Polland for Wednesday’s low round of 67—and low amateur Darin Goldstein of Deepdale.
The 97th Long Island Open Championship is slated to return to its typical June dates, taking place at Fresh Meadow Country Club.