Play Suspended at 103rd New Jersey Open Championship; Vannucci Leads the Way Midway Through Round Two
ORADELL, N.J. - Due to severe weather in the area, play at the 103rd New Jersey Open Championship presented by Donnelly Industries has been suspended. Round 2 at Hackensack will resume on Wednesday at 9 a.m. with a shotgun start.
Following the completion of the second round, a cut will be made with the low 40 players (+ ties) advancing to the final round.
Troy Vannucci of Little Mill Country Club leads the field after firing a 5-under par 67 in the second round. Just the second pairing of the day, Vannucci, an amateur, took advantage of the cool morning weather and moderate green speeds.
“I figured it would be soft, not much wind, and knew that the front nine it would be very crucial to get some good looks and take advantage, because it was going to be softer,” said Vannucci. “Towards our back nine it started to firm up – it was a big advantage was teeing off early this morning.”
The Marlton native collected four birdies and an eagle on Tuesday. In his opening round, Vannucci recorded a 4-under par 68.
"Just staying patient, not pushing anything,” Vannucci said of his strategy. “I feel like I have a good amount of experience -- I know what you can and can't do.”
Nick Bova, a professional at Hamilton Farm Golf Club turned in a 2-under par 70. Despite a double bogey on the 18th hole, Bova collected a blemish-free card highlighted by four birdies.
“I started off kinda of ho-hum,” Bova reflected. “It was a lot of greens and a lot of two putts and just trying to be patient. I was able to get one in on 8 for birdie and again tried to stay patient. I was able to birdie 14, 15 and 16 and had a little hiccup on 18, but that’s golf. It is what it is. We'll take it in stride and see what we can do tomorrow.”
First round co-leader Danny Harcourt has 11 holes remaining in his second round. So far, he's manufactured a bogey-free round with two birdies on his card.
Amateur Thomas O’Neill of Hackensack Golf Club carded a 4-under par 68 on Tuesday to sit as the second lowest amateur in the field. The 2022 club champion had a solid following throughout the day.
“It’s a lot of fun,” O’Neill said of playing in front of a home crowd. “It's a lot of family, friends, club members. I wouldn’t say it affects me either way. I told myself and I was telling my dad how I just want to embrace the moment. It's different playing on my home course in the State Open. I remember 10 years ago watching Jim McGovern chase down (Frank) Esposito and it brings back those memories. I just want to soak it all in, embrace the moment, and have some fun and hopefully hit some good golf shots.”
Dennis Walters Show at Hackensack
The Dennis Walters Golf Show will begin on Wednesday at 3:00 p.m. (instead of the originally scheduled time of 11:30 a.m.).
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