WILTON, Conn. -- Brian Murphy is in a familiar spot at the 77th Connecticut Open at Brooklawn Country Club in Fairfield. For the second year in a row, the Wilton native finished day one hot on the heels of the leader.
Murphy, a junior at Villanova, shot a two-under 69 for a share of third place. He is hoping he has a change of luck from last year, when he completed the first round in second place, only to finish the tourney in 13th.
David Pastore, a Greenwich High School graduate and sophomore at the University of Virginia, shot a five-under 66 in the first round, taking a two-stroke lead. Pastore sank an eagle on the par five 8th, putting him at three-under after the front nine. He nailed three birdies on the back nine and just one bogey all day.
Pastore was paired with Burning Tree club pro and Main Street Connect "Golf Tip of the Week" instructor, Danny Balin. Balin was tied with Pastore for first after the front nine, but finished the first round tied for sixth at one-under (70).
Gerard Courville of Shorehaven Golf Club in Norwalk and Reed Howard, who plays out of Greenwich and is the son of Academy Award-winning director Ron Howard, are tied for eighth at even (71). Mike Ballo Jr. of Stamford, Bernie D'Amato of Weston and defending champion Kyle Gallo all finished the first round at a plus-three 74, good for a share of 34th place.
The top 40 finishers on day two will advance to Wednesday's final round. The Connecticut State Golf Association has up-to-the-minute results of the day's action.
Who do you think will win the 77th Connecticut Open? Start the discussion below!
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