GCAA Update: Laskin, Chopra lead respective fields

With a vast amount of college golfers being forced to take school competitions this semester off due to COVID-19, some are feeding their competitiveness with independent tournaments like the GCAA Amatuer Series. This weekend, two GCAA events are taking place simultaneously in Savoy, Illinois, and Marana, Arizona. In Savoy, Illinois Fighting Illini senior Varun Chopra leads the mixed field of men and women at the University of Illinois’ home course. Taking care of business from the get-go, Chopra kicked off his 36-hole day with an eagle on the opening par-5 first. Using the eagle to propel him to a 2-under 34 on the front nine, Chopra was able to kick in three birdies over his final six holes. Making the turn to his final 18 of the day, Chopra did not quite mirror the flashiness he displayed earlier in the day yet he found comfort in hole Nos. 13 and 17. Carding four birdies on those two holes alone, Chopra took 67-69 into the clubhouse for a three-stroke lead over his nearest competitor. Oakland University’s Thomas Giroux sits in solo second with a 5-under 139 total. Behind Giroux is a four-way tie for third at 4-under 140. 15 golfers are at or better than par with 18 holes to go in Illinois. Out in the desert, University of Arizona senior David Laskin holds a four-shot lead with one round to play. Unlike his cross country peer, Laskin was sporadically consistent while building his lead over 36-holes. Starting on the par-4 10th, Laskin grabbed just two birdies on his opening nine. Making the quarter-turn at 2-under 34, Laskin grabbed three birdies before posting his first of three birdies of the day on his 17th hole (No. 8). With an opening 4-under 68, Laskin kept things moving with a 3-under 33 as he wrapped up his 27th hole. Seven under par for the tournament, Laskin sank a pair of birds on Nos. 1 and 2 before coughing up a shot once again on No. 8. Able to negate the slip up with a birdie on No. 9 (hole 36), Laskin posted a 9-under 135, good for a four-stroke overnight lead. Laskin will be tasked with keeping San Jose State’s Kristopher Stiles, Parker Sisk, and fellow Wildcat Parker Werbylo at bay as they lurk in a three-way tie for second at five under par. Both events will wrap up Sunday, giving all participants enough time to get back to their respective campuses to resume studies all while keeping their competitive golf game alive.