Brett Coletta leads U.S. Amateur qualifying, rain interrupts Day 2

 

OLYMPIA FIELDS, Ill. (AP) – Brett Coletta of Australia shot a 4-under 66 on Tuesday on Olympia Fields' North Course to top the U.S. Amateur clubhouse leaderboard when the second-round of stroke-play qualifying was suspended for the day because of darkness.

 

Rain delayed the start for 90 minutes and 54 players were still on the course when play was suspended at 7:13 p.m. The top 64 players after the completion of play Wednesday will advance to match play on the North Course.

 

The 19-year-old Coletta had five birdies and a bogey to finish at 7-under 133.

 

"At home, everyone says this is the tournament to get into," Coletta said. "This is the tournament to win. This is the biggest experience you're going to get, and it's hyped up to be what it is. So I've come here, and all the stands are up, all you guys out here, the TV cameras will be out tomorrow. This is a great experience for me, coming to play this event, and to play well is even better."

 

Coletta is a member of the Australian national team. He won the 2014 Victorian Junior Masters.

 

"I'm hitting my driver unbelievable," Coletta said. "So, having that extra distance and hitting it straight, having those short irons in really helps. I thought I played really well and really solid."

 

David Oraee of Greeley, Colorado, coming off his senior season at the University of Colorado, was a stroke back after a 67 on South Course.

 

Defending champion Gunn Yang of South Korea advanced, following his opening 73 on the North Course with a 69 on the South Course. Yang will be a sophomore at San Diego State.

 

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