MILLSTONE TOWNSHIP, N.J. (July 10, 2014) – The first round of the 67^th MGA Public Links Championship at Charleston Springs Golf Course (South) has ended and the two leaders hold a one shot lead. Eric LeFante of Neshanic Valley and Xander McDonald-Smith of Marine Park each fired 1-under 71s in the first round to grab the lead, but a host of players at even par 72 stand close behind. LeFante, the 2012 MGA Public Links Champion, hopes to capture his second MGA championship and feels good heading into his afternoon round.

“I didn’t hit it as good I was hoping,” LeFante said. “But I made some nice (par) saves, made a nice bogey save, and some nice birdie putts. So I’ll take the 1-under.” The 27-year-old is not only a former MGA champ but also a two-time NJSGA Public Links Champion, wins that have prepared him to finish on days like today.  “It’s tough, it doesn’t matter if your behind or ahead you just have to play it one shot at a time,” he said. “Hopefully I can hit it a little better and hit some more fairways this afternoon.”

LeFante will have plenty of challengers though, including the soon to be senior at Penn State McDonald-Smith, who had an eagle and three birdies to tie for the first round lead. “I just have to go play a good round in the afternoon and see what happens,” McDonald-Smith said. He played the par fives at 4-under in his morning round and the 21-year-old believes if he continues that he will have a good chance at claiming the trophy.

A stroke behind the leaders and tied for third are three players who shot even par 72s. Brian Fitzpatrick of Neshanic, Matthew Pollock of Bethpage State Park, and Richie Elliot of Lochmor will hope to erase the one shot deficit and pull off a come from behind victory this afternoon. 

Follow the rest of the 67th MGA Public Links action by clicking here for live scoring.