It’s not nice to fool Mother Nature. Competitors in the 21stannual TrueNorth Greater Cedar Rapids Open, presented by UFG Insurance, found out the hard way during Friday’s second round.
With weather conditions generally perfect for Thursday’s first round, golfers pummeled Hunters Ridge Golf Course in Marion and 59 players shot under par. On Friday, when the wind kicked up late morning and continued gusting throughout the day, it was Mother Nature doing the pummeling.
Only 29 players bettered par Friday as scores skyrocketed. A Hawaiian guy named Samuel Cyr managed to survive and posted a 3-under-par 69 for a one-stroke lead over two others heading into Saturday’s final round.
Cyr’s total of 9-under-par is only one stroke better than Thursday’s opening-round leading 8-under-par. It was hard to make up ground Friday. It’s not nice to fool Mother Nature.
The crowded field near the top of the leaderboard didn’t change however – in numbers anyway.
A total of 13 golfers are within four shots of Cyr and 19 are within five. Not included in that equation is first-round leader Johnny Watts (Fishers, IN). He followed his brilliant 64 of Thursday with a 5-over 77 Friday. Oops.
Right behind Cyr, who was born and raised in Maui, is 2016 GCRO champ Seth Fair (Brownsburg, IN) and tournament newcomer Brendon Doyle (Louisville, KY). They both posted -4-under 68s for the second day in a row and are one shot back.
Dan Woltman (Beaver Dam, WI), who was in the hunt here last year, Gavin Hall (Pittsford, NY), Hunter O’Mahony (Jupiter, FL), Matt Hutchins (Naples, FL) and Pira Borja (Delray Beach, FL) are all tied for fourth two shots back. Former University of Iowa golfer Brian Bullington is three shots back and lurking.
Cyr had a 6-under 66 Thursday and went out early Friday before the winds kicked up mid-round.
“(Thursday) I played solid all day, said Cyr, who lives part-time in Makawao, Hawaii, but resides mainly in San Diego these days. “Just hitting lots of fairways and greens. I hit a few shots close and made a couple putts.
“(Friday) I did a bit of the same. Had my only bogey on the par-3 fourth from an unfortunate 3 putt. Bounced back with birdies on 5 and a two-putt birdie on 6. I played nicely today, just didn’t make a couple of the putts when I hit it close. Did make a nice long putt on the 10th hole though for birdie. Those are always nice.”
“I haven’t played that many tournaments so far this year,” continued Cyr. “Mainly mini-tour events and a few Opens. I believe I have about five top 10’s in the 10 events I played. I have had some personal things that have taken priority over my golf recently, but I am looking forward to having a great summer.”
A great summer would include winning the $30,000 first-place prize and hoisting the Bob Brooks-Sam Farner TrueNorth Greater Cedar Rapids Open Memorial Trophy. But it won’t be easy.
Fair has won from behind here before, coming from three shots down to claim the 2016 title, tracking down 2015 champ Paul Apyan and 2014 champ Mark Blakefield in the process.
Doyle is a 2018 Indiana University grad who has played and made the cut in one Korn Ferry Tour event this year.
Woltman, who tied for fourth here last year, Hutchins and Ryan Williams (Phoenix, AZ) all posted Friday’s best rounds with 5-under-par 67s.
“I played well here last year, just coming up two shots short after a nice (64) final round,” said Woltman in an email. “(Saturday) I will hopefully just do more of the same as I have done the first two days. Stay patient, and try to execute solid golf shots. The wind will be the same direction again so the course should play similar to the first two days. I look to play aggressive and hopefully I give myself a chance on the back nine.”
Defending champion Nate Yankovich (Blacklick, OH) had a 4-over 76 Friday and missed the cut by two.
In the Senior Professional Division, Bill Hoefle shot a 1-under par 71 and is now at even par for two rounds. He has for a four-shot lead over first-round leader Marshall Gavre.
In the Amateur Division, first-round leader Andrew Wood extended his lead with a 1-over-par 73. He leads former GCRO Amateur champ Kevin Ault and Ryan Schlueter by six shots.
A decision was made to go off two sets of tees for the final round beginning at 7:30 a.m. Saturday.
The leading groups will go off the first tee with Cyr, Doyle and Fair scheduled to go off at 9:40. The awards ceremony will be held at approximately 3 p.m.
Admission is free.
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