Edwardsville's Brant leads Chicago Open

Sunday, October 5, 2014

So far, the long trip from downstate Edwardsville has been worth it for Chris Brant.

Brant, looking to add the Chicago Open title to the Metropolitan Open crown he earned near St. Louis in July, fired a 4-under-par 68 on Sunday at Cantigny Golf in Wheaton and holds a two-stroke lead entering the second round of the 25th Chicago Open. Seven birdies splashed across his scorecard, offset by a trio of bogeys, added up to a pair of 34s on the Woodside and Lakeside nines of the 27-hole complex.

Brant’s nearest pursuer in the 54-hole test is Matt Slowinski, the head pro at Conway Farms with a stint at Cantigny on his resume. He played the back nine in 2-under 34 and stands at 2-under 70. That’s a stroke better than the trio of Matt Thompson, Andrew Ruthkowski and Garrett Jones, the first two from Michigan and the third a Wisconsin resident. They’re all at 1-under 71, the only other players under par.

Defending champion Carlos Sainz Jr., who recently earned his PGA Tour card, posted an even-par 72 that featured birdies on his first three holes, then three bogeys across the final 12 to bring him back to level. Sainz’s victory last year at Cantigny brought back memories of the days he worked at the course in high school.

Illinois men’s golf coach Mike Small, always a threat when there’s a purse available – first place awards $10,000 from the $50,000 purse – fired an untidy 3-over 75 and is tied for 20th. A holeout for eagle 2 from the fairway of the par-4 12th was more than offset by a pair of double-bogeys on the second and fifth holes.

Mark Hensby, the Australian native who became as well-known for sleeping in his car in the Cog Hill parking lot as for winning the 2004 John Deere Classic, scored 78 in his first round, and, tied for 50th, is in danger of missing the cut. The field of 96 will be trimmed to 40 and ties after Monday’s adventure.

Hinsdale’s John Callahan is the low amateur through 18 holes thanks to an even-par 72.

– Tim Cronin