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Four-Way Tie After Opening Round of 118th Indiana Amateur Championship

Jun 18, 2018

A crowded leaderboard proves the 97-degree weather did not stand in the way of solid play during the opening round of the 118th Indiana Amateur Championship at Otter Creek GC in Columbus.  Sean Rowen of Greenwood, Keegan Bronnenberg of Muncie, Keith Blythe of Decatur, and Cole Bradley of West Lafayette, share the lead after posting rounds of 4-under-par, 68 this afternoon.

Four-time IGA John K. David Player of the Year and 2015 Indiana Amateur Champion, Sean Rowen, got off to a fast start during today’s round, making four birdies in his opening five holes, and proving Otter Creek still suits his game as it did three years ago.

“This has always been a ball striker’s course,” said Rowen.  “I hit the ball really well today and gave myself a lot of opportunities.  And I’m fairly straight off the tee, which is something this course definitely calls for.”

With ten wins to his credit in the last three years of tournament play, Rowen is comfortable being in the lead.  Rather than focusing on a target score, he opts to play smart and stick to his game plan.

“I hope to keep giving myself opportunities and birdie putts like I did today,” said Rowen.  “I had one birdie on a par five today and I hope to make two or three tomorrow.”

2016 Indiana Amateur Runner-Up, Keegan Bronnenberg, turned up the heat on the back nine making three birdies in his last nine holes – and also credits his success to keeping the ball in play.

“During my practice round I paced off a lot of yardages,” said Bronnenberg.  “I know it’s important to be straight out here, so I decided where driver was necessary.  If it wasn’t, I played conservatively off the tee.”

Like Bronnenberg, 2017 IGA Mid-Amateur Champion, Keith Blythe, also had a notable back nine carding four birdies and zero bogeys, for a 32 this afternoon. 

“I have to be honest, I haven’t been playing well lately at all,” said Blythe.  “A few days ago I actually considered withdrawing because I was playing so poorly.  Now, although unexpected, I hope to be in contention come later this week.”

2015 IHSAA Individual State Champion, Cole Bradley, also finds himself at the top of the leaderboard.  A rising sophomore at Purdue University, Bradley says his goal is definitely to win the event.

“I’ve been working on my club head speed and have really been trying to gain some distance,” said Bradley.  “With hitting the bar further than I used to, I plan to continue to take advantage of the short holes and I definitely hope to win come Thursday.”

With the title up for grabs, the leaderboard is crowded with 15 players currently at even par of better heading into round two.  After tomorrow’ round, the field will be cut to the low 60 players, including ties.

Click here for tomorrow’s tee times.

Click here for full field results.