Wow! Guthrie fires 61 to lead Northeast Amateur

RUMFORD, Rhode Island (June 22, 2011) -- With 2010 champion Joseph Bramlett now a full member of the PGA Tour, the one sure thing headling into the 2011 Northeast Amateur was that a new winner would emerge from another talented field of amateurs. Nobody would have predicted, however, an opening round 61.

Today, Luke Guthrie, a senior at University of Illinois, opened the tournament with a bang, posting a new Northeast Amateur tournament record and Wannamoisett CC course record 61, in rainy conditions in the first round. Guthrie carded eight birdies, shooting 31-30.

“After I birdied 14 (to get to 7 under) I had my eyes on 59,” Guthrie said. “I made par at 15, but still felt I might be able to birdie the last three.”

He made birdie at 16, but just missed birdie putts at Nos. 17 - the only par 5 - and 18.

The previous record was 62, shot by Billy Horschel in 2007 (second round in 2007; finished tied for 4th) and Michael Harris in 1998 (second round in 1998, he won the title).

There are three players who checked in with first round 66’s, normally an excellent score in the Northeast. Peter Uihlein, Paul Haley and Ben Kohles all came in with 3-under scores.