Svoboda Leads Long Island Open with 6-under 64

(Glen Cove, N.Y. - June 5, 2018) - The Long Island Open Championship returned to Nassau Country Club for just the third time in its history as 144 professionals and amateurs take on this challenging layout to become the 2018 Long Island Open champion.

Related: Results | Round 1 Photos | Round 2 Pairings

At the completion of round one, first-time Long Island Open competitor Andrew Svoboda of Engineers leads the field by three strokes with a 6-under 64. The three-time Web.com Tour winner came out firing, carding birdies on his first two holes and making the turn at 5-under.

Trouble came on the par-three 10th hole, after his tee shot flew the back of the green and his lob-attempt came up short, but Svoboda was able to sink an 8-foot downhill putt to save par and keep his momentum unscathed.

A decorated champion for both the Westchester Golf Association and the Metropolitan Golf Association, Svoboda is also no stranger to winning at Nassau Country Club, having won the Nassau Invitational as an amateur in 2003. “I just enjoy playing this course…it sets up good for my game and if I can keep driving it good and keep my putter rolling, I should be in good shape”.

Just three shots behind Svoboda at 3-under 67 are numerous familiar names to LIGA leaderboards, including two past champions: John Daniel Guiney from Piping Rock (2017) and Jimmy Hazen from St. George’s G & CC (2014 & 2016) and Eamonn McLoughlin of Cherry Valley and Anthony Aruta of North Shore.

McLoughlin finished his round earlier in the day, setting the lead alongside Aruta, and is confident in his game as he heads into the second round. “I was hitting it well, even the bogeys I was making were just from getting it in the wrong spot…it’s really just trying to push myself to stay aggressive and keep trying to make birdies."

Two-time champions Bob Rittberger of Garden City GC and Matt Dobyns of Fresh Meadow are also in contention at 2-under 68, alongside Tim Rosenhouse.

Rounding out the players who finished under par are Michael Furci of West Sayville, Scott Ford of Glen Oaks, Scott Hawkins of Glen Head and Matthew Sita of Old Westbury at 1-under 69.

The 18-hole second round begins at 7:30 am on Wednesday, June 6, after which the field will be cut to the top 40 players and ties.

Nassau Country Club, which played to a Par 70 at 6,647 yards, boasts firm greens and a challenging layout that will undoubtedly present us with the most deserving champion at the end of 54 holes.

Scoring updates will be available online and on the My MGA app, with 9- and 18-hole updates available throughout the second round of play.