After two rain delays, the first round of the Indiana Golf Association Public Links Championship at Indiana University Golf Course in Bloomington finally concluded at 8:00 p.m. Friday night. Despite the weather and playing conditions, Eric Steger of Noblesville shot a 32-35=67 and defending champion Chris Baker of Brownstown shot a 35-32=67 to share the lead over the field of 73 heading into the final round Saturday, June 14th.

Steger's putting was key to his low score. On the 515-yard, par-5 ninth hole, he hit a great drive down the fairway and a 4-iron to within 15 feet of the hole. He made that putt for an eagle to finish the front nine at 4-under-par. The first rain delay came while he was making the turn, and he would wait two hours before playing the back nine. During the delay his focus was on making birdies once play continued.

He was able to do just that, and he made another 15-foot putt at the 11th hole for birdie. “I made a lot of long putts and I lag-putted really well, but I missed a lot of short putts which is unusual,” said Steger. One of those short putts he missed was at 15 when he three-putted for his only bogey of the day. He recovered on 17 where he hit a lob wedge to three feet and made the putt for his final birdie. “I hope to keep making putts tomorrow and shoot another low one,” said Steger.

John Cozart of Plainfield is tied in third with Justin Hueber of Fishers after first-round scores of 3-under-par 68.

Amateurs who are public course players and have not held playing privileges at any private club in 2008 were eligible to compete in this 36-hole, stroke-play event. The format of this tournament allows players to compete in two divisions based on handicap index – overall or 10.0-18.0. However, the strength of this year’s field is so that all players have GHIN handicap indexes lower then nine.