If not for a first-round 81 in last year’s inaugural U.S. Adaptive Open Championship, Conor Stone might have challenged for the overall men’s title, which was eventually won by Simon Lee in a playoff over Felix Normann. Stone won’t have to concern himself with falling behind after Round 1 this year, as the 28-year-old from the Republic of Ireland fired a 5-under-par 67 on Monday at Pinehurst Resort’s Course No. 6 to grab a one-stroke lead in the 2nd U.S. Adaptive Open.
Ryanne Jackson, of St. Petersburg, Fla., had also hoped to get off to a better start last year in her quest to win the women’s title. The 25-year-old, who was diagnosed with a form of muscular dystrophy as a college freshman, recorded a first-round 76 that gives her a four-stroke advantage over Amanda Cunha (vision impairment) of Kaneohe, Hawaii.
Defending women’s champion Kim Moore sits five strokes off Jackson’s lead. Moore, who has a leg impairment, shot an 81 that is tied with Natasha Stasiuk of Canada for third place.
“I was just a little nervous,” said Moore. “It’s a lot of pressure on you coming in here trying to repeat. Hopefully, we can do well tomorrow and the next day.”
Stone, who has an arm impairment, started off about as strong as possible on the par-5 first hole, reaching the green in two and converting a 20-foot putt for eagle. He turned in 2-under-par 34, then added three more birdies on the back nine. Stone’s 67 is the lowest score so far in championship history, bettering the 68 shot in the final round last year by Chad Pfeifer. The inaugural championship was also played on Pinehurst No. 6.
“To be honest, it was a complete shock,” said Stone, who has been battling back pain and considered withdrawing from the championship two weeks ago. “I need to give a shoutout to my physiotherapist, Jerry McDonough, for fixing my back. I’m happy to be able to hit a golf ball well again. I’ve always been able to shoot these scores, but I haven’t done it in a long time, so it’s nice to do it on a big stage like this.”
Stone knows he will have to keep playing well to hoist a trophy in this 54-hole championship. Close on his heels are players with ample championship experience, including defending champion Lee. The 26-year-old from the Republic of Korea, who has autism, shot a 4-under 68, marked by five birdies and only one bogey.
Two strokes farther back at 2-under 70 are first-time Adaptive Open competitor Anton Glass, 27, of Fort Myers, Fla., and Kipp Popert of England. Popert shot a blistering 5-under 31 on his first nine holes before cooling off a bit on his second nine. The 25-year-old Englishman placed second in the G4D Open, the inaugural championship for players with disabilities conducted by The R&A, just two months ago.
“Coming into the back nine I was feeling good, but had two poor holes,” said Popert. “Still really pleased with how I just kept going and didn’t give up. I’m in contention, so that’s all I can ask for. You can’t win it on Day 1.”
Other players likely feeling that same sense of being in contention are a trio at even-par 72: Mike Browne (leg impairment), of England; Austin Brown (leg impairment), of Richland, Wash.; and Jack Bonifant (neurological impairment) of Kensington, Md.
On the women’s side, Chris Oviatt (neurological impairment) of Milwaukie, Ore., and Abigail Davis (arm impairment) of Houston, Texas, sit in a tie for fifth place at 10-over 82. Eli Villanueva, a U.S. Army veteran from nearby Fayetteville, N.C., who plays with an arm impairment, had the honor of hitting the first tee shot of the championship on Hole 1.
Photos of the first round of the U.S. Adaptive Open in Pinehurst by Sandhills Sentinel photographer Wendy Hodges.
Contributed.
