The biggest amateur stage in golf has some New Englanders in early starring roles.
Former Rhode Island and Louisville standout Chris Francoeur (Amesbury, Mass.), and current Stanford star Michael Thorbjornsen (Wellesley, Mass.) both opened play by shooting 3-under 68s at The Ridgewood Country Club in New Jersey on Monday, and find themselves in a five-way tie for first place entering Tuesday’s second round of the 122nd U.S. Amateur.
The event’s two qualifying rounds are split between two courses in Paramus – Ridgewood and Arcola CC. Both Francouer (1:28 p.m.) and Thorbjornsen (1:49 p.m.) will play Arcola on Tuesday afternoon.
The top 64 players (out of 312) advance to match play, which begins Wednesday.