A Pair of 64s Lead Rhode Island Open
By Joe McDonald
RIGA Senior Writer
PUTNAM, Conn. – The Rhode Island Open witnessed a couple of impressive rounds Tuesday at Connecticut National Golf Club. Even though Max Theodorakis and Jason Thresher share the lead at 7-under 64, their respective rounds were completely different situations.
While Thresher has played in the Rhode Island Open several times, this is a first for Theodorakis. In fact, he has never played Connecticut National. He walked the entire course Monday with only his putter and a couple of balls to prepare for Tuesday’s first round. A native of Danbury, Conn., he also stayed close to the course instead of making the two-hour trek.
“I was really impressed with the course. I really like it,” he said. “While I was walking it Monday, I felt like it fit my eye and I played pretty good (Tuesday).”
Even though he spends his winters in Florida, since he grew up in New England, he feels comfortable on these Northeast courses. He also said Connecticut National is one of the best layouts in the Constitution State. Since he’s driving the ball well of late, he believes if he can continue to keep the ball in the fairway, he’ll give himself a solid chance to win.
“It was far from perfect,” he said of his first-round performance. “I didn’t hit the ball that well, but well enough and I kept it in play. I had a hot start to the back nine and my putter got hot, so that was the difference. Whenever I missed a green, I got up-and-down for par.”
Thresher’s description of his round was a bit different after shooting 28 on the front, including seven birdies, and then finished with a 36 on the back.
“I didn’t miss a green all day,” he said. “The first nine holes, other than one hole, I didn’t have a birdie putt outside of 20 feet. I made a few bombs and everything was dropping. That was the lowest nine holes in my career.”
He admitted his momentum carried into the back nine, but suddenly he wasn’t dropping those long putts. Still, he finished with a 64 and finds himself in contention among the leaders. Unlike Theodorakis, Thresher has been playing this course for years and understands it fits his game well.
“The strength of my game has always been getting off the tee in good positions and I’m able to do that here and I see all the shots pretty well,” he said.
Thresher wasn’t focused only on golf Tuesday. He worked two hours before Round 1 and is schedule for another four hours before the Wednesday’s round. In fact, he’s working more this year and playing less, but hasn’t seen a drop-off in performance. He also hopes his performance carries into the final round.
“Looking at the scores, the winner’s going to come from the last two groups, because if anyone from the last two groups puts up a good number it’ll be too much for anyone to catch,” he said. “Hopefully it’s either me, or somebody in my group who is hot and keeps pushing. You’re going to need a handful of birdies to have a chance the last few holes.”
Theodorakis concurs.
“Obviously, I want to win, but I’m probably going to have to play well and make a lot of birdies,” Max said. “Just take it one hole at a time, try to make birdies and good pars.”