Photo by Kasey Hine :: Story by Stacia Golem

July 10, 2007 (Sutton, MA)—Records were set and goals nearly met in an impressive second day of the North American Pro Golf Tour’s Blackstone Open. Winner Kyle Gallo shot 19 under par for 54 holes totaling 197, tying the lowest three round score in the tour’s history. He also came close to his personal goal for the week.

“I just kept 20 under in mind all day, and that was what was pushing me,” he said. “Even on my last chip I was trying to make it, and that would have been 20 under, but I just tried to stick to my goal and my game.”

His focus today and all week allowed him a bogey-free tournament. “I played probably the best golf I’ve played in a long time,” he said. “I played really solid from the first hole to the 54th hole.”

Gallo started the day off strong and was five under after the turn. One memorable shot was on hole eight, a par five which he eagled with ease. However, his partner Michael Welch, who finished second with a total of 199, 16 under par, also eagled that hole keeping the competition tight.

“I played great today,” Welch said. “I felt like if I made one or two putts and put a little pressure on, maybe it would have changed something but he played so good it was tough.”

Many other players had a great round after the cut. Everybody who played today came in at under par for the tournament, breaking yet another record. Defending champion of the Blackstone Open Geoffrey Sisk finished third with 203, 13 under par. He had his best day of the tournament yet with a 66, six under par, feeling very pleased with his results considering the competition.

Eli Zackheim also had an impressive day—he started strong, nipping at Gallo’s heels after the turn with a four

under. “It had me motivated,” he said. “But then I made a mistake on ten.” He ended up tied for sixth with Andrew Svoboda at 207, nine under par, but he was excited that he moved up from fourteenth yesterday to within the top ten at tournaments end. Zackheim finally established a good routine when he knew his game was on.

There was a lot of impressive players today but most would agree that after 54 holes, the best play came from Gallo—day one’s leader, tournament winner and record-breaker.