Dickson Fights Off Tough Conditions to Make Cut at Florida Elite Open
Rhode Island’s Will Dickson battled tough conditions to make the cut during the second round of the Florida Elite Open on Tuesday at Orange County National Golf Club.
“I played solid all day in the rain and cold. On 15, it was 53 degrees, but it felt like 47 degrees with all the rain,” said Dickson in a text to GolfNewsRI.
Dickson posted a 1-under par 71 to get just inside the projected cut line.
“I knew I was near the cut line (top 45 and ties) and was just hoping for some help from the other guys,” Dickson said.
There are still some players who have to finish their second rounds early Wednesday morning, but worst case scenario is the cut would move to even par.
Newport’s Ryan Tomaso missed the cut in the tournament.
Florida’s Jack Maguire leads the tournament at 12-under par.
Dickson’s 2nd Round
After five straight pars to open the day, Dickson bogeyed the sixth hole, but got the shot right back with a birdie on the par-5 seventh hole to turn at even par.
Making the turn, Dickson notched another birdie on the tenth hole to get to one-under par for the day.
Playing steady through tough conditions, Dickson parred the next five holes before taking a double-bogey on the 16th.
However, like he did on the front side, he bounced right back.
“After making a mess of hole 16, I checked the leaderboard and realized I had to birdie 17 and 18 to make the cut and thankfully was able to do that. Made dinner taste better,” Dickson told GolfNewsRI.
On the par-3 17th hole, Dickson made birdie to get back to even par for the day.
Then on the par-5 18th hole, Dickson closed the round with another birdie to shoot 71.
Tomaso Misses Cut
Tomaso missed the cut after a second round 75 on Tuesday.
After making par on the first four holes, Tomaso doubled the fifth hole and the ninth hole to turn at 40.
On the back side, he made a birdie on 12, but could not get another putt to drop.