The Chicago Golf Report

Chaussard and Meierdierks Lead 61st Illinois Golf Open

Garrett Chaussard of Chicago and Eric Meierdierks from Wilmette share the lead after the first round of the 61st Illinois Open Championship at 4-under par 65. Four-time champion Mike Small is currently five strokes behind the leaders in a group tied for 20th.

Due to heavy rains over the weekend at Hawthorn Woods Country Club, the par-5 17th hole, which normally plays at 506 yards, still had unplayable spots throughout the fairway. The decision was made to convert the hole to a par 3 playing at 158 yards, thus lowering the total score in relation to par to 69 instead of 71.

“After four inches of rain in less than 24 hours, we felt the best option was to convert the 17th hole to a par 3,” said Illinois PGA director of tournament operations Jared Nowak. “It was fortunate that Hawthorn Woods had the additional teeing ground available for the Championship.”

The change didn’t seem to bother either player as Chaussard finished his opening round with five birdies and one bogey. The teaching professional from Cog Hill Golf & Country Club in Lemont is playing in his second Illinois Open, having tied for 15th last year in his Championship debut.

Meierdierks played in his first Illinois Open when he was only 16 years old and has been a fixture in the event for the past seven years, making the cut the past four.

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