MAMARONECK, N.Y. (June 16, 2006) - After a first round that saw only one player finish under par, Andrew Svoboda was able to save par on the 18th hole and turn in a five-over-par 75 in the first round of the U.S. Open Championship at Winged Foot Golf Club in Mamaroneck, N.Y.  Svoboda’s fellow competitors, Chris Nallen of Hackettstown, N.J. and J.J. Henry of Fairfield, Conn., did not fair as well under the tough conditions of the U.S. Open. Henry finished with a seven-over-par 77 and Nallen with a nine-over-par 79.  Henry, Nallen and Svoboda will remain in the same group for the second round and tee off the tenth tee at 12:30 p.m.

Svoboda had a shaky start and after four holes he stood at three over par, but was able to rebound with a birdie at the par-five fifth hole.  After three more bogeys on the front, Svoboda played even-par golf on the back nine to finish with a 75.  Svoboda was focused throughout the day; oblivious to the local crowd and fellow members cheering him on.  However, when his par putt dropped in on the 18th green, Svoboda showed the most emotion he had all day.  “It was really great to make that putt.  That was just a great hole location right there, and just to make a good par on the last hole and finish up on a good note was really awesome,” said Svoboda.

Henry and Nallen will have to bounce back today after a tough first round that saw the top-ranked player in the world, Tiger Woods, finish with a six-over-par 76.  Henry and Nallen will try to keep playing over the weekend, when the field will be cut to the low 60 players and ties and any player within 10 strokes of the leader.  Henry was t-74th place and Nallen was t-99th after the first round.

For more information on the local players and live scoring updates from the U.S. Open, please visit www.mgagolf.org.