MA Firefighter a Few Shots Off the Lead at U.S. Open

BROCKTON — A city firefighter playing in his second major golf championship finished 4-over on Thursday, finishing just a few shots off the lead on what has proved to be a tough day at the tournament.

Matt Parziale, 31, wearing seafoam green pants with a white shirt, finished with 74 strokes after the first round on a day where the wind was whipping in excess of 30 miles per hour at the U.S. Open.

As of 2 p.m., there were five golfers tied for the lead at 1-under, having finished the day at 69.

An hour later, one golfer, Russell Henley, had reached 3-under for sole possession of the lead through eight holes at 3 p.m.

The tough Shinnecock Hills course combined with the wind has resulted in many bunker shots and deep drives. The day saw Jordan Spieth shoot a 78, Rory McIlroy finish at 80 and one golfer finish at 92. Tiger Woods finished the first hole with a triple bogey.

Parziale finished the day with three bogeys and one double bogey. He had one birdie and hit par on the other 13 holes, including the last four.

The Brockton Fire Department firefighter hit 93 percent of fairways on a day in which the field average was about 75 percent. His driving distance was about three feet above average.

Parziale is playing in his second major after competing in the prestigious Masters Tournament at Augusta. He qualified to play in both as an amateur after winning the U.S. Mid-Amateur Championship last October.

The Brockton man has been a city firefighter since late 2013 and his story has become one of national interest being the first to reach golf's biggest stage as a full-time firefighter.

Parziale will tee-off from New York on Friday at 12:41 p.m

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