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McGovern Leads Callaway MGA Senior Open

Jim McGovern

Jim McGovern fired a 6-under 65 Monday at Metropolis as he eyes his second win the the Callaway MGA Senior Open.


WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. (August 26, 2019) -- Despite having never seen Metropolis Country Club before, Jim McGovern of White Beeches fired a bogey-free, 6-under 65 on Monday in the opening round of the 23rd Callaway MGA Senior Open Championship. McGovern, who won the title in 2016 at Brooklawn, will take a one-shot lead over Shaun Powers of Fairview into the final round, while 10 players in all carded sub-par scores to begin the championship.

Related: Rd 1 Results | Rd 2 Pairings | Photos

"I got off to a great start," said McGovern, 54. "I birdied four of the first six and finished with two of the last three, so it was really pretty solid all day." McGovern tied the two solid stretches together with a string of nine-consecutive pars.

For McGovern, going in blind led to a simple focus of hitting fairways and creating easier opportunities. "In all honesty, I think I come out and play a little more conservative, trying to make sure I get the ball in the fairway and that kind of made me have a lot of simple shots," reflected McGovern. "The golf course sets up good for my eye. I drove it pretty well, putted pretty well and only missed a couple greens."

Meanwhile, Powers had a more adventurous route to his 5-under 66, carding seven birdies and an eagle to go along with four bogeys. Powers, one of 11 competitors in the field in their first year of eligibility, played the opening nine in even-par, then turned it on down the stretch, playing his final five holes in 5-under thanks in part to an eagle-three on No. 16.

Six birdies helped Frank Esposito, Jr., of Forsgate to a 4-under 67, while Brent Studer of Metedeconk and defending champion Mark Mielke both posted opening 68s to remain in the mix. Studer began his round on the right foot, chipping in for eagle on the par-five opener, while Mielke was quick to admit a slow start.

"I didn't play really good on the front nine, and then I kind of got going on the back nine and played pretty well," said the two-time champion. "Anytime you're defending, it's nice to have a couple wins in the tournament, it kind of validates any victory that you had," he continued. "So it always takes a little bit of pressure of you coming back knowing that you've won it before and you've got your name on the platter. It's kind of nice to see on the first tee, so it's pretty cool."

Bobby Heins of Old Oaks, Mark Brown of Tam O'Shanter, and Mike Gilmore of Winged Foot -- a trio of past Met Open champions -- follow tied for sixth at 2-under 69, while Brian Varsey of Essex Fells and Carl Alexander of Purchase round out those finishing in red numbers on day one, both carding 1-under 70s.

In all, 41 players made the cut at 3-over 74 or better. Tuesday's final round will begin at 7:30 a.m., with the final pairing of McGovern and Powers going off at 10:18 a.m. The final pairings will feature live hole-by-hole scoring.

Additional Highlights

  • Robert Johnson of Trump National - Hudson Valley leads the race for low amateur after opening with an even-par 71. Mark Kosko of Harbor Links, Matt Corrigan of Nassau Players, and Philip Gutterman of Pine Hollow are all just one shot back after carding 72s.
  • In all, 10 amateurs made the cut, including 2014 champion Adam Kugler (+3/74) of Alpine and 2019 Father and Son champion Morten Gotterup (+3/74) of Rumson, father of Met Amateur champion Chris Gotterup.
  • Seven past champions made the cut, including 2013 winner Craig Thomas (+1/72) of the host club Metropolis.
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