Skip to content
Sports
Link copied to clipboard

Merion's Bradbeer leads after first round of GAP Patterson Cup

The sophomore at Bucknell carries a 1-stroke advantage into Thursday's final round. Four former champions are in contention.

Gregor Orlando tees off at the Philadelphia Amateur Golf Tournament on June 15th. Orlando finished the Patterson Cup’s first round at 71.
Gregor Orlando tees off at the Philadelphia Amateur Golf Tournament on June 15th. Orlando finished the Patterson Cup’s first round at 71.Read moreCAMERON B. POLLACK / File Photograph

Peter Bradbeer of Merion Golf Club fired a 3-under-par 68 Wednesday over the South course of Wilmington Country Club to take a 1-stroke lead after the first round of the 115th Patterson Cup, the stroke-play championship of the Golf Association of Philadelphia.

Bradbeer, who is entering his sophomore year at Bucknell, carded five birdies during his round over the 7,172-yard layout. His last two birdies came back-to-back at the 14th and 15th holes following a bogey at No. 13.

Chris Crawford of Spring Mill and Chris Ault of Yardley were tied for second at 69, followed by James Kania Jr. of Overbrook and Benjamin Smith of Huntingdon Valley in a fourth-place deadlock at 70.

A group of four players, including 2017 Philadelphia Amateur champion Gregor Orlando of Philadelphia Cricket and GAP major winners Jeff Osberg of Huntingdon Valley and Michael McDermott of Merion, were at 71.

Of the eight players within 3 shots of Bradbeer, four of them  —  Crawford (2015), Kania (2009), Osberg (2010, 2016) and McDermott (2007) of Merion  —  are former Patterson Cup champions.

Crawford, who will compete in next week's U.S. Amateur in Los Angeles, birdied three of his first seven holes but played his last 11 holes 1-over with 10 pars and a bogey. Ault, who tied for second in last week's Pennsylvania Amateur, posted four birdies against two bogeys.

The field was cut to the low 60 and ties for Thursday's final round, with 65 contestants having shot 77 or better.

Top finishers

Peter Bradbeer, Merion 34-34—68

Chris Ault, Yardley 36-33—69

Chris Crawford, Spring Mill 36-33—69

Jim Kania Jr., Overbrook 34-36—70

Benjamin Smith, Huntingdon Vall. 35-35—70

Gregor Orlando, Phila. Cricket 37-34—71

Jeff Osberg, Huntingdon Valley 39-32—71

Michael McDermott, Merion 34-37—71

Danny Harcourt, Mercer Oaks 33-38—71

Austin Barbin, GAP Junior eClub 34-38—72

William Jeremiah, Bidermann 38-34—72

John Barone, Glenmaura Natl. 39-33—72

Cole Berman, Phila. Cricket 35-37—72

Aaron Fricke, Lancaster 36-36—72

Jarred Texter, Conestoga 39-33—72

Mark Benevento Jr., Greate Bay 37-35—72

Peter Barron III, Stone Harbor 35-37—72

David Hicks, Wildwood 36-36—72