Jecklin’s 6-under 66 in the morning was the lowest round of any golfer in the 72-player field. The 32-year-old tallied eight birdies, including a stretch of three straight at Nos. 13-15. Despite notching a 2-over 74 in the afternoon, which was marred by a double bogey on the par-3 16th, the State Mid-Am rookie is pleased with the position he is in following the first day of competition.
“I’m certainly happy with 4 under as the total,” Jecklin added. “I would have preferred a little something lower on the second 18, but all-in-all, I’m happy with where I stand. I’m looking forward to tomorrow.”
Jecklin’s playing partners for the final 18 holes will be Matt Considine, also of Chicago, and 2014 Illinois State Mid-Amateur winner Andrew Price of Lake Bluff, who both of whom are tied for second at 3 under alongside and Logan Stauffer. Considine, Price and Stauffer all stayed in the red on Monday, which is particularly impressive considering wind gusts that reached upwards of 25 miles per hour.
“The wind totally changes this course,” Considine said. “Even on the greens today, once it really started blowing in the afternoon, you’d have to take wind in to consideration.”
Five-time State Mid-Am winner Todd Mitchell is three shots back at 1 under overall after rounds of 70 and 73. Defending champion Greg Bauman and two-time State Mid-Am victor John Ehrgott are T15 at 2 over.
Thomas Brennan notched the shot of the day, holing out his tee shot on the 200-yard third for an ace. He’s even par overall, four shots behind Jecklin. `