Two-time Open Champion Tyler Hall fires 67; charges to lead in 100th Open at Knickerbocker
July 21, 2020 - Two-time champion Tyler Hall of Upper Montclair birdied four of his final six holes, en route to a five-under-par 67 on Tuesday to take the lead heading into the final day of the 100th New Jersey State Golf Association Open Championship at the par-72, 6,705-yard Knickerbocker Country Club in Tenafly.
Hall’s two-day total of seven-under-par 137 provided a one-stroke lead over amateur Mark Costanza of Hamilton Farm, who fired the low round of the championship thus far – a seven-under-par 65 for a two-day total of 73-65-138.
Collegiate amateur Ethan Ng of Knickerbocker, a member of the Stanford University golf team, compiled rounds of 70-69-139 and is tied for third place with pro Tony Perla of Canoe Brook (73-66-139). Tied for fifth place at 141 are pro Louis Kelly of Metedeconk National (75-66), reigning NJSGA Amateur Champion Dawson Jones of Eagle Oaks (71-70), and first day leader, host pro Bill Hook of Knickerbocker (67-74).
The field was cut to 45 golfers who shot five-over 149 or better for today’s final round of the 54-hole event.
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“I had a stupid bogey on the 11th hole, but after that, I got my fire going. I got a nice birdie on the par-5 13th, then I chipped in from just off the green on 14. That was my best drive of the day. My approach went over the back of the green into a terrible lie, but somehow I chipped it in,” said Hall, 38, who followed with birdies on the par-4 15th and par-5 18th holes.
“I’ve been in this spot before, leading the Open, and I know how to handle it. The game plan worked perfectly today. I didn’t have to scramble as much. I’ve won before so I know how to get it done. I have all of that experience. You work hard to get it, and then you learn what to do with it,” Hall added.
Amateur Mike Muehr of Pine Valley, last year’s runner-up, shot 69-69-138 and stood tied for second place, but was required to withdraw from the competition due to Tuesday’s addition of Virginia, Muehr’s home state (along with eight other states), to Gov. Phillip Murphy’s COVID-19 travel advisory.
Hall’s success in local golf dates back more than two decades, starting with him winning the state individual high school championship in 1999. He played his collegiate golf at the University of Kansas.
After trying his hand in various mini-tours over the years, Hall returned to New Jersey in 2015 as Director of Instruction at Upper Montclair Country Club in Clifton and promptly won the NJSGA Open Championship that year. It was the first time he had played in the event in 11 years.
Proving it was no fluke, he repeated as Open champion in 2016 at Galloping Hill Golf Course in Kenilworth. Subsequently, he has been a force in local golf, earning New Jersey PGA Section Player of the Year honors in 2018.
“I felt the course was more gettable with the conditions for sure. I drove it well out there. You can overpower this course in spots. Being long and straight is a huge advantage, but if you’re long and crooked, you’ll be in trouble and then the greens will get you,” Hall said.
Costanza birdied his final two holes, making a 25-foot birdie putt on the par-3 17th, and carding a birdie out of a bunker on the par-five 18th.
“I was a member here four years ago, and I love this place,” said Costanza, 31, a former mini-tour player. “I know where to hit it. Playing yesterday helped me for today, getting down the green speeds. I was able to make more putts today.”
Ng's round of 69 included no bogeys, and featured birdies on three par-five holes - Nos. 2, 10 and 18.
“I kept the ball in play, and I just hit fairways and greens,” Ng said. “I just played aggressively, made my two putts and stayed patient. I’m excited and very confident going into tomorrow. I know this course like the back of my hand.”
Kelly, 28, who won six collegiate tournaments at the University of Louisiana, also eagled the 8th when he chipped in from 24 yards.
“My game is in a good spot. I’m a little tournament rusty, but I played well today,” Kelly said.
Said the first round leader, Hook: “My start was terrible. It was a grind the whole way. Hopefully, the golf course is ready to give me a little more tomorrow.”
Wednesday’s final round will begin at 7:00 a.m.
