Low Scores Fill Leaderboard at 91st Four-Ball Championship; Match Play Bracket Set for Wednesday
Pictured (L-R): Conor Casey and Stephen Walsh
GLADSTONE, N.J. - There was one duo that stood out from the rest of the field on Tuesday at Hamilton Farm Golf Club in the 91st Four-Ball Championship and that was Conor Casey and Stephen Walsh, who bested the field by three strokes, shooting a 10-under par 62. The remainder of the 16-team field was also decided on Tuesday following a 7-for-6 playoff.
In the stroke play qualifying portion of the championship, Casey and Walsh collected nine birdies and an eagle on the 6,879-yard course.
“We started off really well and we both had a lot of birdie looks on most holes,” recalled Casey. “We just played pretty free. The course was fantastic, was in great shape and the greens were perfect. It was a special day.”
Earning their way to the championship via medalist honors at the Cedar Hill qualifier, Casey and Walsh have thrived with Four-Ball format.
“It’s nice to play in four-ball format because you can kind of play quite fre. Add match play into that too, you can play very free so we can be aggressive and try to make tons of birdies,” said Walsh.
“I think it’s the most fun kind of golf, and a good venue so we’re looking forward to it,” added Casey.
The cut was set at 3-under par as 16 teams advanced to match play, which will begin at 7:30 a.m. on Wednesday morning. Round of 16 matches as well as quarterfinal matches will take place on Wednesday, while the semifinals and final match will conclude on Thursday.
John Browndorf and Jack Skirkanich turned in an impressive round of 7-under par 65, while four other teams shot a 6-under par 66.
Hosting its first NJSGA major championship, Hamilton Farm has proved to be a true test of championship golf.
"It's fun and interesting," Casey said of Hamilton Farm. "Every shot makes you think and at the same time there is plenty of room off the tee so you can kind of air it out a little bit. Today especially it was hard to be out of a hole, especially with four-ball. The par-5s are generally getable and when you have a partner who bombs it, that makes it a little easier."
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