Late Surge Lifts Casey at NJ Open Golf

Madison resident Conor Casey turned in a strong finish Thursday to tie for 16th place at the 91st New Jersey Golf Association Open Championship at Hollywood Golf Club in Deal.

Casey, the 22-year-old amateur representing , shot an even round with three birdies on the par-71, 6,938-yard Shore course, for a three-round six-over total of 219 that put him in an eight-way tie for 16th.

Casey, who finished 13th at the Open in 2010, opened play Tuesday with a five-over par 76, then carded a one-over 72 in Wednesday's second round. He started in a nine-way tie for 35th prior to the third and final round.

A recent graduate of Villanova University where he was a two-year golf captain, Casey helped the Wildcats to a third-place finish in the Big East conference in 2011.