Paladino Pushes Ahead; Takes Solo Lead at 105th New Jersey Open Presented by Donnelly Industries
GLADSTONE, N.J. –– With a surging second-round score of 5-under par 67, Brent Paladino, Senior Director, Championship Administration for the United States Golf Association, took the lead with a 7-under total (70-67,137) at the 105th New Jersey Open Championship presented by Donnelly Industries.
Forty-two players with a score of 5-over par, 149, or better advanced to the final round of play, which features seven former champions.
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During Tuesday’s first round of 18-hole stroke play, Paladino shot a comfortable 2-under par 70 to put himself in contention going into the second round. With a blemish-free front nine accompanied by five birdies, the 38-year-old quickly propelled himself to the top of the leaderboard.
“It's a marathon, not a sprint,” Paladino said following his second round.
“I didn't really hit in any trouble,” Paladino continued. “Hit a few fairway bunker shots here and there, but I really liked the tee shots, so I was in position quite a bit and was able to have a lot of good looks for birdie. Especially on the front nine today I feel like I had a birdie look almost every hole.”
The 2023 New Jersey Open Champion cleaned up his back nine with two birdies on holes 14 and 15 to offset consecutive bogeys on the previous two holes. Paladino finished out his back nine with a solid run of pars on holes 16,17 and 18 to cap off his round and take the lead.
“When I won two years ago, I didn't think it was enough,” Paladino said. “So, hopefully I can make the same move tomorrow. Just try to keep plugging along, keep the foot on the gas and not let up and see if I can make enough birdies.”
Following close behind in second place was the duo of Mark Costanza and Rhett Sellers.
Costanza shot a 5-under par 67 in his second round to get to 6-under overall (70-67,138). The amateur out of Baltusrol Golf Club filed in six birdies throughout the day, including a bogey-free front nine capped off by a birdie on the 515-yard par 5 9th hole.
“I hit the ball really nicely,” Costanza said after his round. “It's kind of carry-over from yesterday still. I just put myself in the right spots and was pretty stress free.”
The 2020 New Jersey Open Champion followed his blemish-free front nine with a strong opening birdie on No. 10, the 38-yard par 4. As a member, Costanza had some familiarity with Hamilton Farm Golf Club, which played 6,994-yards on Wednesday.
“I've always felt comfortable out here,” Costanza said. “It’s a great golf course. It's in the best shape that I've seen in a long time, so kudos to Tim [Meyer] and the grounds crew here. They've been doing a great job.”
The former player out of St. John’s University built on the two birdies he made on the back nine yesterday, adding three in the second round to position himself in contention behind Paladino on the leaderboard.
“I think I’m driving it really well and hitting a lot of greens, so giving myself a lot of opportunities for birdie,” Costanza remarked. “Some of the putts are going in. Some of them aren't. I'm not having to scramble a lot. So, hopefully I can continue that theme for tomorrow.”
Sellers finished 4-under par on Wednesday to bring his score to 6-under par overall to take hold of the t-2 spot on the leaderboard. With six birdies and four consecutive pars to finish out his back nine, Sellers, an Assistant Professional out of Plainfield Country Club, remained in contention for Thursday’s final round.
“I'm feeling really good,” Sellers said. “I’m hitting the ball well. Driving it really well, which is rare for me. So, I’m finding a lot of fairways, which then I'm pretty good with my irons so I’m hitting a lot of greens and putting really well. I think all of that added up and is just what's gone into my score and hopefully I can continue it tomorrow.”
Anthony Casalino, of Mendham Golf & Tennis Club, Nicholas Thompson, of Liberty National Golf Club, Barnes Blake, of Baltusrol Golf Club and Dean Greyserman, of Hamilton Farm Golf Club are t-4 on the leaderboard with a 5-under par, 139. Casalino hit the low score of the day at 7-under par, highlighted by eagle putts on No. 9 and No. 15.
The final round of the 105th New Jersey Open Championship will start at 7:30 a.m. at Hamilton Farm Golf Club on Thursday.
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