Naylor leads suspended Penn Mid-Am; Samaha charging

BETHLEHEM, Pa. (Sept. 17, 2018) – Weather plagued the opening round of the Pennsylvania Mid-Amateur on Monday, ultimately causing the first round to be suspended mid-afternoon and the two-day tournament to be shortened to 18 holes.

Roughly half the field managed to finish the first round Monday at Saucon Valley Country Club, which most recently hosted the 2014 U.S. Mid-Amateur and the 2009 U.S. Women’s Open. Among those players, William Naylor has the clubhouse lead with 4-under 68. But John Samaha is 4 under through his first four holes, having started on No. 10 and making birdie at Nos. 11 and 12 then eagle at the par-4 13th. If he brings that kind of game back to Saucon Valley on Tuesday for the conclusion of the round, he should be in good position to overtake Naylor.

David Clay is tied for third with a 3-under 69. Matthew Mattare, who plays out of Saucon Valley is 3 under through nine holes. He had three birdies and no bogeys on the front nine to start the tournament.

Mattare played last week’s Crump Cup at Pine Valley, and took the top seed on the 16-man match-play bracket for the second flight. He lost in the final match to Jeff Osberg, 5 and 3.

Erik Bertrand is in the clubhouse with 2-under 70 and tied for fifth. That tie also includes Michael Brown Jr., who is 2 under through nine, and Brendan Borst, who is 2 under through four.