Three tied for Fayette Open lead at 69
Bernie Wydo and Mike Smith were the first group on the tee Thursday, and Wydo posted the score to beat in the first round 2-under 69 at Uniontown Country Club on the opening day of the Fayette County Open. No one was able to post a lower score, but two others managed to tie with 10 golfers within five strokes.
Scott Bush posted another 69 about midway through the first round, and defending champion Pat Calvaresi capped the first day with a third 69.
Former champion John Kingora was a shot off the pace with a 70, and Mike Revak, another former champ, trailed by two strokes as the second round moves to Pleasant Valley Country Club this afternoon.
Wydo, yet another former champion in the field, went out in 1-under 35 and came home in 1-under 34.
“I hit a lot of fairways and a lot of greens. The golf demons didn’t get to me today,” said Wydo. “I was going one more (club). It seemed the ball wasn’t flying off the irons.”
Bush had just one bad hole in his opening round, scoring a double bogey on No. 7 when he played out of a hazard. He had the low back nine with a 3-under 32.
“I hit some putts,” said Bush. “This is the best first round I’ve had in this tournament.”
Like Bush, Calvaresi gave credit to his putter for his 69, carding a 35 on the front and 34 on the back.
“There are never any bad 69s,” said Calvaresi. “I putted just phenomenal. I knew the greens would be slow and bumpy. I tried to find a line and hit it as solid as I could. I hit every putt with perfect speed.
“I hit every wedge shot really good. I was feeling my swing.”
Kingora was pleased with his 1-under 70, but not necessarily with how he played.
“For me, 70 was a good round,” said Kingora. “I had six birdies, but I’m not playing consistent. Even par was a good score. The birdies saved me.
“I made more than my fair of putts. I’m just not playing consistent.”