Stanwich’s Pyne just two shots off the pace at Met Open

Casey Pyne of The Stanwich Club in Greenwich is just two shots off the pace heading into the final round of the 105th MGA Met Open Championship at Mountain Ridge Golf Course in Caldwell, N.J.

Pyne, who shot a 4-under-par 67 in Tuesday’s opening round, including a hole-in-one, carded a 1under 70 in Wednesday’s second round. Going into Thursday’s third and final round, Pyne is at 5-underpar 137 and in a three-way tie for second place.

Jason Gore, representing Hamilton Farm Golf Club, is atop the leaderboard at 7-under-par 135. Gore shot a 6-under 65 on Wednesday. Ryan Davis (Watchung Valley Golf Club) and Luke Sample (Old Oaks Country Club) are tied for second with Pyne with a 5-under 137 after 36 holes.

Paul Pastore, a Greenwich High School graduate, representing Fairview Country Club in Greenwich, is in a four-way tie for fifth place at 3-under-par 139. Pastore shot an even-par 71 in the opening round, then posted a 3-under 68 on Wednesday.

Shaun Powers, also playing out of Fairview Country Club, is in a five-way tie for 10th place at 2-under 140. Powers posted a 1-underpar 70 on Tuesday, highlighted by a hole-in-one. He also shot a 1-under par 70 on Wednesday.

Stamford native Peter Ballo (Silvermine Golf Club) followed a round of 71 on Tuesday with a score of 73 on Wednesday and is at 2-over 144 for the tournament. Andrew Gai of Westport (Long Shore Golf Course) finished the second round at 3-over 145 (72-73).

Max Theodorakis, a Danbury native (Ridgewood Country Club) also has a score of 3-over 145 (74-71) heading into the final round.

Mike Ballo Jr. (Westchester Country Club) of Stamford shot a 74 in the first round and 72 in the second.

Pyne’s second round on Wednesday featured three birdies and one eagle. He shot a 36 on the front nine and a 34 on the back.