Diforio Leads Packed Leaderboard at 13th Carter Cup
SPRINGFIELD, N.J. (July 29, 2015) – Eighteen players are within three shots of the lead at the 13th Carter Cup, as the morning round on Baltusrol’s Upper Course is complete. Bobby Diforio of White Plains, N.Y., leads the field by one shot following an even-par round of 71. The area’s top juniors are now in action on the Lower Course to conclude the 36-hole championship.
“I played some solid golf,” Diforio said about his opening 18 holes. “On the front nine I only hit about three greens, but only had 12 putts. I grinded it out on the front and then on the back nine I started to play a little bit better. I dropped some putts, but bogeyed 18.”
After a couple of early bogeys, Diforio bounced back with three birdies in a seven-hole stretch, beginning at the par-5 8th. He added two more birdies on Nos. 12 and 14 before his final setback on the 18 for a 71.
A host of accomplished players are easily within striking distance though, with 2014 MGA/MetLife Boys champion Brent Ito of Ardsley, N.Y., and William Rand of New York City being just one shot off the pace with matching 72s.
Ten competitors recorded a round of 73, including recent Met Junior champion James McHugh of Rye, N.Y., Met Junior runner up James Nicholas of Scarsdale, N.Y., and Connor O’Brien of Norwalk, Conn., who advanced to the match play portion of the U.S. Junior last week. Bear Carlson is also in the mix, especially considering his top-10 finisher in last year’s Carter Cup.
Ethan Ng of New York City, who also competed in the U.S. Junior, leads a pack of six competitors that shot 74 to open the championship. 2014 Met Junior champion Dawson Jones of Howell, N.J., and Metropolitan Junior PGA champion Nathan Han of Somers, N.Y., are also part of the group.
The MGA is providing hole-by-hole scoring for the afternoon round, available here.
