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Svoboda, Sita and Aruta Lead After Second Round of LI Open

Glen Cove, N.Y. (June 6, 2018) – After 36 holes, 44 players made the cut to advance to Thursday’s final round of the Long Island Open at Nassau Country Club. Only those who recorded scores of 5-over 145 or better made the cut.

First-round leader Andrew Svoboda of Engineers, Old Westbury’s Matt Sita, and Anthony Aruta of North Shore hold a two-stroke lead headed into the final round.

Related: Photos – Round 2 | Scoring 

Final Round Pairings and Starting Times

Svoboda finished with a 1-over 71 today, putting him at 5-under for the championship. He recorded two birdies today, on the par 4 9th, and par 5 15th, which he also birdied in the first round. “I wanted to be aggressive today but unfortunately I just didn’t make too many putts on the front nine,” the three-time web.com Tour winner said. “The greens were firmer today and much faster, so it was harder to get the ball close.”

Matt Sita went low today with a 4-under 66 after a first round 69. He recorded five birdies and only one bogey to sit tied with Svoboda and Aruta at 5-under. “I was hitting fairways and greens and keeping the ball in the right spot on the greens, below the hole, which allowed me to be fairly aggressive with my putting,” said Sita. “I had one bogey today and that’s because I was in the wrong spot. Tomorrow’s plan is to be as aggressive as possible.”

Anthony Artua was one of the only players in the afternoon to finish under par. “I made nine pars on the front nine, and then kind of turned it around on the back nine,” claimed Aruta. “I didn’t hit my driver great today, so today was a little more work than yesterday, but I played pretty solid on the back to shoot 2-under.”

Just two shots back of the leaders is a talented group of professionals looking to make a run tomorrow, including a number of past champions. 2013 Champion Matt Dobyns of Fresh Meadow, Jimmy Hazen, the 2016 and 2014 winner, Michael Furci of West Sayville and Eamonn McLoughlin of Cherry Valley all stand at 3-under. Furci had three birdies en route to a 68 today, while Dobyns carded a 1-under 69 and Hazen and McLoughlin finished at even par.

Defending champion J.D. Guiney of Piping Rock finished at 1-over 71 today and is three shots off the lead. Clancy Waugh of Deepdale, who became a professional on Tuesday, and amateur Kyle Brey of Bethage both had matching scores of 69 today and are 1-under after shooting par yesterday.

Amateurs Kevin Talty of Smithtown Landing and Jay Card III sit at even par, looking to make moves during the final round.

A number of other talented players finished at 1-over for the two rounds, including Tim Rosenhouse, Jim Farrell of Hamlet G & CC, Michael Miranda of Bethpage and 2017 Met Open winner Josh Rackley of Tam O’Shanter.

Thursday’s final round will begin at 7:30 a.m., and the leaders will tee off at 10:39 a.m. Scoring updates will be provided throughout the day on mgagolf.org/liga and via the My MGA app.

Nassau Country Club played to a par 70 at 6,647 yards.

Related: Photos – Round 2 | Scoring | Final Round Pairings and Starting Times

               Recap: First Round