O'Bryan in contention at Illinois Open
July 16, 2012 | Men's Golf
July 16, 2012
GLENVIEW, Ill. -- Thomas O'Bryan continues a great summer of play as ranks among the leaders in the 63rd Illinois Open Championship after the first round of play today. Thomas had four birdies and an eagle enroute to a 3-under 69 to tie for fifth in the 156-player field at The Glen Club in Glenview, Ill.
Travis Johns of Oswego was the first day medalist with a 6-under par 66. Play resumes Tuesday with another 18 holes. Following 36 holes of play, the field will be cut to the low 50 scorers plus ties.
Thomas is coming off his first appearance in the U.S. Amateur Public Links Championship July 9-11 in Midway, Utah. The sophomore-to-be was one of 64 golfers to qualify for match play by tying for 44th with a 3-over par 72-73-145. He bowed out in the first round of match play.
O'Bryan was one of 156 golfers from 42 states to compete at the USGA championship July 9-14 at Soldier Hollow Golf Course in Midway. He qualifed for the event by winning 36-hole qualifer held June 20-21 at the Oak Grove Golf Course in Harvard, Ill. The Aurora, Ill.-native, bested the 90-person field by shooting a 1-under par 72-69--141.
O'Bryan has improved steadily during the season and was UW's top finisher at the final tournament tying for 28th at the Big Ten Championship with an 80-78-73-77=308. He played in 26 rounds as a freshman and averaged 76.58 per round.
