Messick fires 65, earns top spot on VSGA Amateur bracket

Connor Messick’s trip to the top of the Virginia Amateur match-play bracket was nothing short of aggressive. He filed a second-round 65 at Keswick (Va.) Golf Club’s Fully Cry course on Tuesday that included six birdies and a hole-in-one.

At 8-under 136 for 36 holes, Messick finished two shots ahead of the next-closest player. He will take the top seed on the 32-man match-play bracket.

“I kind of had my aspirations on medaling,” Messick told VSGA writer Chris Lang. “I played aggressively both days. My game plan probably won’t change much for match play.

“Once you get into match play, it’s a completely different game, and I know that. But I’ll keep sticking to my game plan and keep hitting the ball where I want to and I’ll try to make some putts like I did today.”

Messick, who played college golf at both Virginia and George Mason and is a member at International Country Club, start his round on No. 10. He made bogey there, but more than made up for it by acing the next hole with a 6-iron from 191 yards.

“I was basically still loosening up,” Messick said. “I hit a little cut there and I hit it perfect, and it went about two feet past the hole and spun back in.

Right behind Messick, Ben Cooper also had a second-round 65. He tied for second with first-round co-leader Cameron Moore.

The day ended with an eight-for-five playoff for the final spots on the match-play bracket. Among those to make it through was 2000 VSGA Amateur champion David Passerell, who is playing in this event for the first time in several years.

Quotes and details in this report courtesy of the VSGA writer Chris Lang