Daniel Connolly on day one of the NCGA Stroke Play
(NCGA Photo)

On Friday at Poppy Hills Golf Course in Pebble Beach, Connolly again had his game in top form. This time under clear blue skies.

The Southern Methodist University sophomore grabbed the early lead in this week’s annual NCGA Amateur Stroke Play Championship, posting a solid 3-under 68. The only player to break par in the first round, Connolly posted six birdies to go against three bogeys. He’d make his biggest move on the back-nine, carding a 33 that included back-to-back birdies on hole Nos. 12 and 13.

Three players–Castlewood CC member John Fracisco, AmateurGolf.com member Anthony Madrid and 2016 NCGA Public Links champion Matt Cohn—are tied for second, three shots behind Connolly, following matching rounds of 71.

Cohn, who also hails from The City and started on the back-nine, went on to card four birdies following an early double-bogey on the 13th hole. Fracisco, who also started his day on the back-nine, was 4-over through his first eight holes before rebounding with an eagle on the par-5 18th.

In a tie for fifth at 72 are Half Moon Bay GC member Derek Ackerman and Olympic Club member Mike Staskus. Staskus, one of a handful of seniors in the field, had a wild day, posting six birdies to go against three bogeys and a quadruple-bogey on the par-4 10th.

Following Saturday’s second round a cut will be made with the low 40 and ties advancing to Sunday’s final round.