Dillon Stewart of Fort Collins finished strong to shoot a 3-over-par 73 in Monday’s opening round of stroke play at the U.S. Junior Amateur, leaving him in position to advance to match play if he plays similarly on Tuesday.
Stewart, the AJGA Hale Irwin Colorado Junior champion, stands in 51st place out of the 156-golfer field at historic Baltusrol Golf Club in Springfield, N.J.
The top 64 players after Tuesday’s second stroke play round will move to match play starting on Wednesday.
Stewart (pictured) was 5 over par after 10 holes on the Lower Course — having made three bogeys and a double bogey — but rallied down the stretch, playing his final eight holes in 2 under. He birdied the 14th and 17th holes.
Meanwhile, the other Coloradan in the field, Christopher Kennedy of Aurora, opened with a 76 on Monday, which put him in 101st place. He made two birdies — both on par-3s — in addition to four bogeys and two double bogeys.
Kelly Chinn of Great Falls, Va., and Australian Karl Vilips were the stroke play co-leaders after matching 66s on Monday.
Here are the scores for the Coloradans competing:
Dillon Stewart, Fort Collins 73″¨
Christopher Kennedy, Aurora 76″¨
For all the scores from Baltusrol, CLICK HERE.
