Seth Fair, who won the 2016 GCRO and has finished second twice, is back in the hunt this week. (Photo courtesy Draeger Photography)
The nice breeze in the hot and humid conditions may or may not been a welcome relief Thursday to those competing in the 22nd TrueNorth Greater Cedar Rapids Open, presented by UFG Insurance.
As most golfers know, it depends on which way the wind blew your ball.
For over half the field, it probably blew the right way. A total of 65 golfers broke par at Hunters Ridge Golf Course. That’s a lot of red numbers.
Carson Roberts (Conway, AR) and Ethan Brue (Ashland, IL) were at the top of the list, posting 7-under-par 65s to earn the first-round lead in the GCRO. We’re not sure how secure they feel.
Seth Fair (Whitestown, IN), who won the GCRO in 2016 and finished second twice, is one-shot back. There at eight golfers at 5-under 67, including 2019 second-round leader Samuel Cyr. There are seven other golfers another shot back. We could go on, but you get the idea. It’s a wide-open affair.
Roberts, a graduate of Washburn University, had an eagle, six birdies and one bogey. Brue, who starred at Bradley University, had two eagles, five birdies and two bogeys.
Two of the biggest names in the field both took it on the chin.
Smylie Kaufman, a veteran of 92 PGA Tour starts that includes one win, shot a 7-over-par 79 and is in danger of not making the cut.
The same can be said for Michael Visacki, the “mini-tour legend” who won $50,000 in Waterloo last week. He took quadruple bogey 9 on the par-5 17th en route to a 79.
On the other hand Mark Lemon, the 66-year-old co-founder of the tournament who is back from Kansas to compete, also shot a 79. There’s one for the old guys.
The tournament continues today at 8 a.m. A cut to top 40 and ties will advance to Sarurday’s final 18 holes in the quest for $30,000.
The public is invited and admission is free.