Jamerson trails by four strokes in state open

FROM STAFF REPORTS
Published: July 17, 2008

Returning titlists fared well in Thursday’s first round of the State Open of Virginia at the Par-27 Independence Golf Club in Midlothian.

Ted Brown, the 2005 champion, shot a 6-under-par round of 66 to lead 1998 champion Rick Schuller of Chester by two strokes and 1999 and 2006 winner Faber Jamerson of Appomattox and 2000 champion Billy Judah of Chesapeake by four entering today’s second round.

Last month’s VSGA State Am runner-up Roger W. Newsom of Virginia Beach and fellow amateur Tony Good of Richmond are one stroke back after opening with rounds of 5-under 67.

Liberty University coach Jeff Thomas is seven strokes off the lead after carding a 37-36-73.

He is in a 20-way tie for 28th place, with 16 of those being amateurs.

But professionals, including mini-tour player Brown, 29, from Richmond, occupy 11 of the top 15 places on the leader board.

Brown fired an even-par 36 on the front nine before shooting a 6-under 30 on the back to capture the lead. He birdied holes 10, 12 and 13 with increasingly long putts before responding to his only bogey on the back nine on No. 14 by playing the final four holes at 4-under. Brown drilled a 3-wood to within four feet to set up an eagle at the par-5 No. 17 and hit his approach to within 18 inches on 18 for a birdie.

Schuller, who was third last year, recovered from hitting his opening tee shot at No. 1 in the water and was two over through three holes. Playing in the same group as Brown, he reeled off three straight birdies and added another at No. 9 to turn in two under before shooting a matching 34 on the back nine.

Chip Sullivan, last week’s Maryland Open champion is among four players at 3-under 69. The head professional at Ashley Plantation in Daleville knocked two shots in the water in his first hole, making double bogey at No. 10, but played his final six holes (Nos. 4 to 9) in six under.

Blackstone’s Cameron Yancey and 16-year-old Matt Ball Jr. of Richmond are also at 3-under 69 along with Verona’s Eric Cobb.

After today’s second round, the field will be cut from nearly 170 players to 70 for Saturday’s and Sunday’s final two rounds.