By Dalton Balthaser

 

PAWTUCKET - The Rhode Island Golf Association Amateur Championship and Andrew O’Leary are synonymous with success.

 

O’Leary, the defending champion and medalist kept that momentum going in his second appearance.

 

The rising junior at the University of Notre Dame cruised once again to medalist honors and a spot in the Round of 16 in the 115th edition as a result of consistency and a good mental frame of mind. 

 

His first round qualifying score of 61 matched the course record at Pawtucket Country Club (par 69, 6,420 yards) which has been held by former Pawtucket Golf Professional Les Kennedy since 1970.

 

“It means a lot to me,” said O’Leary of tying the course record held by Kennedy. “I have heard about Les. If he were living, I bet he would say he shot 61 with a double bogey. It is great to be a part of the history of Pawtucket.”

 

He was able to survive two weather delays totaling 3 hours and 20 minutes on Tuesday. He shot 71 in the second round of qualifying.

 

In the Round of 32 he defeated No. 32 seed and fellow Pawtucket member Kyle Hoffman, 7&5, Wednesday. 

 

“I know how good of a player Kyle is being from the same club,” said. O’Leary, 20, of Norfolk, Mass. “That was a lot tougher of an opponent than you expect as the No. 1 seed in the first round of match play. But luckily, I was able to get by him. I didn’t make any bogeys, so I didn’t give him any opportunities.”

 

O’Leary shot 3 under in the 13 holes he played against Hoffman without a bogey.

 

He got up early with back-to-back birdies on Nos. 3 (par 4, 379 yards) and 4 (par 4, 380 yards). On No. 3, O’Leary piped his 3-wood down the middle. He then stuffed a sand wedge from 100 yards to 15 feet. 

 

On Tuesday, O’Leary lost his tee shot and made a triple bogey on No. 3. A good recovery and lesson learned on Wednesday.

 

On No. 4, O’Leary ripped driver to the front of the green and two-putted.

 

A string of pars over the next eight holes had him dormie with six holes to play. He finished it off in style by canning a 10-footer on No. 13 (par 3, 186 yards).

 

O’Leary made nine birdies and an eagle in the stroke-play qualifying and added those three against Hoffman. He’s capable of going low at any point. But Wednesday, the putter got hot.

 

“Knowing the greens is a huge advantage,” said O’Leary. “I have seen basically every hole location out here. So, I know which way it will break around the hole. I am a little more aggressive than most players who play here.”

 

A lot is at stake for O’Leary this week. Becoming a back-to-back champion and winning the #RIAmateur on his home course. But there’s a lot of golf ahead before all that.

 

He will face No. 16 seed Kevin Blaser in the Round of 16 on Thursday morning at 7:30 a.m. The Quarterfinals will take place immediately following the conclusion of the Round of 16.

 

“One good trick I have learned when I feel pressure is to think about anything but golf,” said O’Leary. “Everyone has a different idea, but I think that is something that works well.

 

“I missed in all of the right places today. Each time I got in trouble, I made sure I kept a level head and got back in play. The person who stays patient this week will have a good chance to win this thing.”