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Lang shoots 67 for early lead at West Penn Open

By Jim Downey jdowney@heraldstandard.Com 4 min read
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Jim Downey | Herald-Standard

Waynesburg’s Robert Rohanna hits his tee shot on No. 10 in the opening round of the West Penn Open Monday at Butler Country Club.

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Jim Downey | Herald-Standard

Elizabeth Forward junior Angus McHolme putts for par on No. 18 through a steady rain shower in the opening round of the West Penn Open Monday at Butler Country Club.

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Elizabeth Forward junior Angus McHolme chips onto the 18th green in the rain during the first round of the West Penn Open Monday at Butler Country Club.

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Jim Downey | Herald-Standard

Waynesburg’s Robert Rohanna follows through with his tee shot on No. 11 in the first round of the West Penn Open, July 24, at Butler Country Club. Rohanna was competing in the Pennsylvania Open this past week and was in third place after the first two rounds of the four-round event which began on Monday.

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Waynesburg's Robert Rohanna watches his putt roll in for a birdie on the ninth green in the first round of the West Penn Open Monday at Butler Country Club.

BUTLER — Not only was Angus McHolme playing in his first West Penn Open, but the Elizabeth Foward junior was also the youngest competitor at 15 years old.

McHolme had to weather rainy conditions at the end of the 113th West Penn Open at Butler Country Club and he was unable to get anything rolling with an 8-over 78.

On the other hand, Waynesburg Central graduate Robert Rohanna has played more than a few West Penn Opens, including last year when, after leading the first two rounds, he slipped to third place. He was sitting at 5-under through 15 holes, but bogeyed his way in to finish at 2-under 68.

Rohanna is in a five-way tie for second place.

Corey Lang played the front in 6-under, but lost three strokes on the back nine to lead after the first round at 3-under 67.

The low 32 scores (and ties) after the second round advance to Wednesday’s third and final round. Rohanna tees off at 8:45 a.m. in today’s second round, while McHolme hits the course at 11:25.

“They were not very good shots,” Rohanna said of his final three holes. “I scrambled back to hit good shots.

“On No. 16, I didn’t get it up and down. I missed a 4-footer on No. 17. I hit a bad drive on No. 18.

“No. 16 was weird. I had mud on my ball. I was trying to draw it because I needed distance. It didn’t turn. It just went right.”

As for how he made bogey on the three holes, Rohanna added, “The three ways I can bogey a hole, I did it.”

Rohanna said not all of his game went astray, though.

“I was putting good, but not hitting it very solid. I hit some good shots in between and that’s why I made birdies,” said Rohanna.

Rohanna had three birdies, including rolling in a putt on No. 9, and one bogey on the front to go out in 2-under 33.

He made the turn with back-to-back birdies, and then added a third birdie on the back nine on No. 15 to go to 5-under. The three straight bogeys led to an even-par 35 on the back.

“I’m disappointed. I hit it awesome in the practice round. I was puring it on the range,” said Rohanna. “I hit a lot of good irons, but I was not hitting my woods so well.”

McHolme, who played in the WPIAL Class AAA golf championships last fall at Oakmont, is just a few days shy of his 16th birthday, but he didn’t use youth for his rough opening round. Rather, McHolme said he was unable to gain any momentum.

“I didn’t play well. I’d hit two good shots on a hole and then get a bogey,” explained McHolme. “I had momentum breakers. I didn’t make the best of my opportunities out there.

“I consistently hit good shots, but I wasn’t scoring. I missed a couple greens from the middle of the fairway and that has to stop.

“I had no birdies. That was a big problem.”

McHolme had a rough start with back-to-back bogeys. He settled down with two pars in row, but lost two strokes with a double bogey on No. 5. He carded another double bogey on No. 7 to go out in 6-over 41.

He settled down after he made the turn with four straight pars. McHolme closed with two bogeys and three pars to come back in 2-over 37.

“I played better on the back. Tomorrow, I need to get momentum early,” said McHolme. “Anywhere from 68 to 72 is reasonable the way I was swinging.”

McHolme earned his berth into the Open at the qualifier held at Willowbrook Country Club where he tied for third with a 72.

McHolme feels playing — and watching — veteran golfers in the regional championship will benefit him down the line with the high school season rapidly approaching.

“It’s helpful to watch some of these guys hit the ball. This will make me a better player,” added McHolme.

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