59th Delaware Open: Day One

Chanaud keeps fire burning, leads after first round

WILMINGTON, Del. – Michael Chanaud’s last four rounds in the Delaware Open are as follows: 65-67-69-64.

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He is a total of 22 under par in those four rounds. There isn’t a heat check that he hasn’t answered.

Chanaud, aided by a laser-sharp wedge game and an easy-going demeanor, fired a round of 64 to lead the 59th Delaware Open after Round One Monday at Fieldstone Golf Club (par 71, 6,570 yards).

His 64 is a personal competitive best in relation to total strokes. His 65 (7 under) in the opening round at last year’s Delaware Open at his former home, Bear Trap Dunes Golf Club, matches his best score to par in competition.

A total of 38 players made the cut with a score of 76 or better.

Two-time champion Zac Oakley, an assistant teaching professional at Bidermann Golf Club, is nipping on his heels after a 65. Zac’s father Pete Oakley is a six-time champion.

Through three holes, Chanaud was 2 over.

“I wasn’t really trying to push the envelope a whole lot here because I know it’s a fairly difficult golf course,” Chanaud, an assistant professional at The Peninsula Golf & Country Club, said. “I know there are holes you have to take advantage of and others where you have to hold on. I never thought I would shoot 7 under after being 2 over through three holes. I knew I had time. I didn’t want to press.”

Chanaud’s fuse started burning with the first of his 10 total birdies on No. 4 (par 4, 338 yards) after crisping a cheeky 62-degree wedge from 62 yards to 4 feet. He would then add birdies on Nos. 5 (par 5, 530 yards), 6 (par 3, 171 yards), 7 (par 4, 336 yards) and 9 (par 4, 443 yards). 

His highlight was nearly dunking a 50-degree wedge on No. 7 from 105 yards to two inches. He made a total of 27 feet of putts on those five birdies. All of the clubs he hit were from 9-iron down to his 62-degree.

“I wedged it as well as I ever have today,” Chanaud, 30, of Ocean View, Del., said. “I drove it fine but not spectacular. Each time I had an 8-iron or less out there I took dead aim and really wasn’t ever outside of 15 feet.”

His back nine included five birdies as well. Nos 11-13, 15 and 16 were his red figures. Highlighted by an accidental dart on No. 13 (par 3, 183 yards). Aiming for the center of the green, Chanaud pushed it on line with a 7-iron and canned the 15-footer.

A 10-footer for birdie on No. 16 (par 3, 130 yards) satisfied the conclusion of his inferno. But the coals are still hot.

“I am decently confident in my game and who I am on the course,” Chanaud said. “I know I can step up there and make a birdie after a bogey. Bogeys don’t bother me too much. I knew that each time I would make a bogey I would have a birdie hole coming up.”

Chanaud would enter historic territory with a win after the 36-hole marathon Tuesday. He is looking to become the fifth player in the history of the event to win consecutive titles. The others include: Richard Osberg (1974-77), Pete Oakley (1986-87), Joey Maxon (1998-99) and Chris Anderson (2003-04).

“I don’t think too much about the historical stuff,” Chanaud said. “I want to go out there and have fun. I really enjoy playing in these events. It’s nice to get away from work a little bit and play. I’m just looking to have a good time. I’m not really thinking too much about legacy. It would be really cool to win back-to-back titles but I am treating it like it is my first time playing in the Delaware Open. I just want to win again.”

Zac Oakley is looking for his third title (2015, 2022). A bogey-free 65 goes a long way in that chase. With a win he would be the fourth person to have three titles joining his dad, Osberg and Anderson.

“I haven’t had too much of anything the last month or so,” Oakley, 42, of King of Prussia, Pa., said. “I’ve been hitting it a little better the last month or so and I found my putter. In reality your golf game goes as far as your putter takes you. Doesn’t matter how well you strike the ball. You have to make putts. Out here if you are rolling putts on line, they are going in.”

Oakley’s highlights came twofold. A crucial par save on No. 8 (par 3, 185 yards) and a beautiful birdie on No. 13 after ripping a 7-iron to 15 feet. He knows he has what it takes to keep up with the red-hot Chanaud, he said he just needs to focus on his game.

“Tomorrow for me will be all about staying relaxed,” Oakley said. “Once you get in the first round, then I will be able to determine a better leaderboard game plan to see if I need to be aggressive or not. My tempo and rhythm today was great and it was consistent throughout the whole round. That’s difficult to do for the entire round.”

GAP
Celebrating Amateur Golf since 1897, GAP, also known as the Golf Association of Philadelphia, is the oldest regional or state golf association in the United States. It serves as the principal ruling body of amateur golf in its region. The organization’s 345 Member Clubs and 110,000 individual members are spread across Pennsylvania, Delaware, New Jersey and Maryland. The GAP’s mission is to promote, preserve and protect the game of golf.