Brent Studer of Metedeconk National Golf Club is in search of his first senior major after a first round 5-under 67 at the New Jersey Senior PGA Professional Championship presented by Golf Advisor and John Deere at Navesink Country Club.
Studer, a runner-up in the Senior Section Championship in 2015, started the day with three birdies on his first four holes. The 53-year-old carded a front nine 31 with five birdies.
There are seven qualifying spots for the Senior PGA Professional Championship. Frank Esposito of Forsgate Country Club and Bill Britton of Trump National Golf Club, Colts Neck, are exempt due to being winners of the Senior PGA Professional Championship.
Ed Whitman (right) and Brent Studer (left) will be paired together in the final round tomorrow.
Knickerbocker Country Club’s Ed Whitman, 65, a four-time winner of this event, remains two back after a 3-under 69. Mark Yannotta of Anchor Golf Center, who finished inside the top five of the Senior Section Championship two of the last three years, finished with a 2-under 70.
David Glenz of Black Oak Golf Club, 69, currently sits in fourth after an even par 72. Host PGA Professional Steve Sieg of Navesink finished with a 2-over 74.
Mark Yannota sits in third place.