Local: Pavelonis cards PGA career-low at US Senior Open

Highlights and hiccups. That might best sum up Britt's Pavelonis' experience at last week's US Senior Open, one of the Senior PGA's Major Championships.

Despite a career-low 73 Friday, Pavelonis missed out on making the cut by one shot after finishing the first two days at +6.

In what he will now call the highlight of his golf career, Pavelonis enjoyed his time at Saucon Valley Country Club in Bethlehem, Pa.

"Played fairly well for two days with a couple of hiccups and ended up missing the cut by one shot," Pavelonis said on his Facebook page. "Playing in the US Senior Open was a wonderful experience and a highlight of my golf career so far. Looking onward to the next tournament now, but want to thank all of my friends and family for the support! I appreciate you all!"

On Friday, Pavelonis began his day on the par-5, No. 1 hole and played even golf through six holes before coming up with a birdie at the par-4 seventh. He followed that up with a bogey on No. 8 and a double bogey on No. 9.

After making the turn at +2, Pavelonis played par golf - much like he did on his front nine - coming up with a birdie at the par-4 16th and finishing at +2 with a bogey on the par-3 17th.

Pavelonis shot a career-low 73 in his two PGA events. Prior to Friday, he tied his career low with a 75. The other came in 2012 when he played in the United Leasing Championship at Victoria National Golf Club in Evansville, Ind.

On Thursday, Pavelonis started his day on the back nine at Saucon Valley Country Club and opened his round with a par 4 on No. 10. That followed back-to-back bogeys to put him at +2 on his round, but Pavelonis birdied the par-3 17th and turned in a 36.

The magic continued on No. 1 as Pavelonis birdied the par-5 to get to even par on his round, but then found trouble on the third as he carded a double bogey. He added a bogey on the par-4 seventh, but again, recovered with a birdie on the par-4th eight with a birdie and closed out his round with a bogey on the par-3 ninth.

Pavelnois noted he had fun on his first round in a PGA Major.

"I had a good time, it was rough at times out there, wet and the rough is thick, but we had a nice continent of family and friends that followed us around."

Pavelonis had 10 pars on his day, including five bogeys, three birdies and one double bogey and joins 20 other golfers that shot a +4 in the opening round.

Spyder Dann covers prep and college sports for the Southern Illinois LOCAL Media Group. Follow him on Twitter: @spydieshooter.