Four share lead after second round in West Penn Open
BUTLER — Robert Rohanna scrambled and fought Butler Country Club, and to some degree, himself, Tuesday afternoon to finish the second round of the West Penn Open with a 2-over 72.
The Waynesburg Central graduate opened with a 2-under 68 for a two-round total of even-par 140 heading into today’s final round.
He trails leaders Beau Titsworth, Mike Van Sickle, Easton Renwick and Daniel Ombremski by three strokes with 18 holes to play.
Elizabeth Forward junior Angus McHolme struggled in the second round and missed the cut after shooting 10-over 80. He had a two-day total of 18-over 158.
The low 32 scores (and ties) advanced into today’s third and final round. The cutline was at 6-over 146.
Rohanna had issues right from the first tee.
“I had a case of the rights, then lefts,” said Rohanna. “After No. 9, I hit it better.”
He went right into a patch of trees off the tee on No. 2, a par-5. Rohanna punched out into the fairway and his third shot landed pin-high, off the green above a sand trap. He nearly holed the chip and made the short putt for par.
Rohanna bogeyed No. 3 after landing in the middle of the fairway. His approach shot landed in a greenside bunker and he two-putted for bogey.
He also bogeyed Nos. 7 and 9, both on 3-putts, to go out in 3-over 38.
Things began to turn around for Rohanna after he made the turn, sort of.
“I stuffed it on No. 10 (a par-3). I was left, 6-7 feet pin high. Putting straight down a cliff. It lipped out,” explained Rohanna.
Two more pars followed going into No. 13, Rohanna’s first birdie of the second round.
“I told Tommy (his caddy) I just need one to get going,” said Rohanna.
Back-to-back pars followed, then Rohanna carded his second birdie.
“I stuffed it again to five feet and made the putt,” said Rohanna.
However, Rohanna gave the stroke back on the next hole.
His tee shot on the last hole, a par-4, was in the middle of the fairway, about 90 yards shy of the green.
“It was sitting down. I hit it a little fat,” said Rohanna.
Rohanna putted from just off the green, but the putt went past the hole. He made the putt coming back for par to play the back in 1-under 34.
“I had 33 putts and missed three greens. I had two 3-putts,” Rohanna said of his round.
“My bogeys today were frustrating. If you hit a bad tee shot and don’t make par, it’s your tee shot’s fault. If I hit a good tee shot and don’t make par, it’s my fault.”
Rohanna figured he left at least six strokes on the course.
“No. 10, missed a putt from eight feet. No. 11, a 15-footer. No. 12, that green is brutal. I had good looks on 13, 14, 15 and 16,” said Rohanna.
“I’m trying to get tournament reps in. I fought back. I could’ve let (the round) go. I’m just not comfortable over the putts.”
McHolme, the youngest competitor in the field at 15, was frustrated and disappointed with his play in his first West Penn Open.
“This is the worst tournament I’ve ever played,” said McHolme. “I’ve had higher scores, but the way I played was atrocious. It was very bad the entire day. I didn’t have a birdie (in the tournament).
“I needed to stay a little more calm in the first round. Unfortunately, I didn’t give myself a chance in the second round.
“The course is in great shape. I didn’t have my game coming into this week and it showed.”
McHolme qualified for the Pennsylvania Open on Aug. 14-16 at Gulph Mill Golf Club. Rohanna is the defending champion of the state golf tournament.