Massachusetts Open

Oppenheim

moves to top

By Justin A. Rice Globe Correspondent / June 24, 2009

BELMONT - The inclement weather during Monday’s opening round proved an opponent in and of itself. But in yesterday’s second round of the 100th Massachusetts Open, the conditions were far less of an impediment for the 150-player field at Belmont Country Club.

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“I didn’t put the umbrella up at all; [on Monday] it was up almost the entire day,’’ said Andover native Rob Oppenheim, who heads into today’s final round of 46 players with a two-stroke lead over the field’s top amateur, Benjamin Spitz.

Oppenheim, a 1998 Globe All-Scholastic from Andover High who lives in Orlando, Fla., posted the lowest score of the day with a 6-under-par 65 for a two-day total of 5-under 136. Spitz, who plays out of the Harmon Club, was the low amateur for the second straight day. He shot a 68 and goes into the final round at 4-under 138.

Jason Parajeckas, a pro at Pleasant Valley, is third. The Woburn resident posted a 5-under 66 for a two-day total of 3-under 139. The only other player under par is first-round leader Matthew Donovan of Pittsfield, who followed his opening-day 68 with a 72 to stand at 2-under 140.

One of the highlights of the day for Oppenheim, the 2002 Mass. Amateur champion and Rollins College graduate, came after he made the turn at 2-under 34. On No. 10, Oppenheim sank a 50-foot putt for birdie on the 362-yard par 4.

“[It] went up and over a ridge and I was just trying to lag it as close as I could,’’ said Oppenheim, who finished with four birdies on the back nine. “It’s nice to make a putt to get some momentum. Once you do that, you start to swing better and you have confidence that you can get up and down for par or birdie.’’

For the second straight year, Donovan lost his opening-day lead but remains in contention.

“When you’ve got a lead like that and are playing well, you almost want to see the bad weather [continue] and [try to] hang in there,’’ said Donovan. “I didn’t expect to maintain my lead. I have to go out and play hard [today] and make some putts.’’

If Donovan was rooting for rain, Spitz was hoping for clear skies.

“There’s some good players up in the top and some low numbers,’’ said Spitz. “Hopefully it doesn’t rain.’’

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