Dornes Fires 62 to Lead 103rd Amateur Championship
FLEETWOOD, Pa. - J.D. Dornes started on the back nine and had a pair of birdies without a bogey as he made the turn at the 103rd Amateur Championship, presented by Allegheny Health Network. But even Dornes could not have predicted the way the rest of his round would go, as he carded two more birdies along with two eagles to fire an 8-under par score of 62 at Moselem Springs Golf Club. The first round of the 54-hole championship was suspended due to bad weather at 3:42 p.m. and called for the day at 5:55 p.m. Round one will resume Tuesday morning at 7:30 a.m. with round two to follow immediately after.
"It was a great end to a good round," Dornes said. "Obviously the two eagles coming down the stretch really helped show how well I did play."
Dornes had only played Moselem Springs once before, and that was on Sunday. Obviously he didn't need the local knowledge for his bogey-free round. After a pair of routine pars to start his round, he went to the par-5 12th hole. Dornes hit his tee shot into the woods, but was able to punch out and then hit a great 8-iron to about three feet, where he converted the birdie putt. He followed that by rolling in an 8-footer for another birdie on No. 13. Dornes managed to stay at 2-under after a nice sand save on the 14th hole. He found trouble on No. 16 after hooking it into the trees, but he was able to punch out and get up and down for par. After another up and down par on the 18th hole, Dornes moved to the front nine at -2 for the day.
"Coming into today I wanted to put myself in position to get confident with the putter and give myself some chances," Dornes said. "That's what I did early on. I was able to make some birdies early and get settled in."
The incredible closing nine for Dornes began with a birdie on the par-4 second hole. He then sandwiched another birdie on No. 4 around a pair of pars on the par-3 third and fifth holes. After getting up and down for par on both No. 5 and No. 6, he turned his attention to the par-5 7th hole. A nice drive put him in good position, and he hit hybrid to 10 feet, where he drained the eagle putt to move to 6-under and sole possession of first place in the championship. That set up the closing magic on the par-4 ninth hole, his last of the day. The short par-4 gave Dornes a chance to put his ball near the green from the tee, and that's exactly what he did. After landing in a greenside bunker, Dornes capped his round in style, holing the bunker shot to finish at an astounding 62 (-8).
"My short game felt good and it kept my round going," Dornes said. "There weren't any hiccups."
A pair of golfers shot 66 (-4) to hold second place before the delay in Chris Crawford (Spring Mill Country Club) and PAGA Indidvidual Member Jarred Texter. Also at -4 is Zach Ford of Wanango Country Club, who did not complete his first round yet. Tied for fifth place at -3 are Cole Berman of the Philadelphia Cricket Club and Scott McLaughlin of Lu Lu Country Club.
Round two tee times are delayed one hour from their originally scheduled time due to the suspension of play. The Pennsylvania Golf Association would like to thank the staff and membership of Moselem Springs Golf Club for their hospitality during the championship.