Posted at 1:30 p.m., Monday, July 9, 2007
Golf: Thunderstorms suspend U.S. Amateur Publinx
Advertiser Staff and News Services
Kapa'a's Casey Watabu began defense of his U.S. Amateur Public Links championship today, opening with a par on the first hole — then the thunderstorms took over at Cantigny Golf Club in Wheaton, Ill.Play was suspended with 78 of the 156 players still on the course. The first round of stroke play will resume tomorrow followed by the second round.
Clayton Rask of Otsego, Minn., and Mark Harrell of Hazlehurst, Ga., were tied for the clubhouse lead after 69s this morning.
Sean Maekawa, of Pa'auilo, Hawai'i, shot an even-par 72 today. Max Bonk of Waimea, Hawai'i, was 2 over after eight holes. Samuel Cyr of Makawao, Maui, finished with a 78 and Layne Morita of Kapa'a, Kaua'i, shot an 84.
The low 64 scores after two round of stroke play advance to match play, starting Wednesday. The final is on Saturday.
Watabu defeated Anthony Kim of Traverse City, Mich., 4 and 3, to win the 36-hole championship match at the 2006 U.S. Amateur Public Links Championship on the Olympic Course at Gold Mountain Golf Club.
Kim is now a rookie on the PGA Tour.
Watabu became the fourth player from Hawai'i to win the APL and the first since Guy Yamamoto in 1994.
