DARIEN >> Cody Paladino enjoyed the idea of being the defending champion at the 82nd Connecticut Open. But once his round began at 9 a.m. Monday morning, it was all business.

“Focusing all my time and energy being the defending champion is not going to get me anywhere this week,” Paladino said. “It’s cool, it’s wonderful, I’m excited, thrilled to have won the Connecticut Open one year ago.”

After Paladino, a Berlin resident, bogeyed the 10th hole, his first of the day, he made five birdies en route to an opening-round 67 at Woodway Country Club to trail leader Anthony Casalino by one shot.

“I spent my time preparing, not just physically, but mentally for that moment I got on the 10th tee this morning,” Paladino said.

Paladino, 27 is coming off a tie for 13th place at the Bangor Open in Maine this past weekend. He bounced back after his opening bogey Monday with a birdie on No. 11, then more birdies at 16, 2, 3 and 8 to vault into second place.

William Street, the former assistant pro at New Haven CC, is alone in third with a 68. Four players, Dan Balin, Corey Birch, Jordan Gosler and Kyle Baehler, are all tied at even-par 71.

A thunderstorm delayed play for an hour and 16 minutes Monday afternoon. Lightning forced play to be suspended for the day at 6:16 p.m.

Half the field did not complete play. Play will resume at 8 a.m. today. The last groups have 11 holes to finish.

Tee times for the second round will begin no earlier than 9:30 a.m. The last tee time will go off at approximately 4:10 p.m. - assuming no more weather postponements.

Jay Crowley, an amateur out of the Round Hill Club in Greenwich, is the leader on the course, 2-under through 12 holes. John Roberts, Mike Ballo Jr. and Greg Reilly are all at 1-under on the course.

87TH CONNECTICUT OPEN

(at Woodway CC, Darien)

First round (partially complete)

Anthony Casalino (Innis Arden GC), 66; Cody Paladino (Wethersfield CC), 67; William Street (Whitney Farms GC), 68; Dan Balin (Burning Tree CC), 71; Jordan Gosler (Manchester CC), 71; Corey Birch (Silver Spring CC), 71; Kyle Baehler (Willow Ridge CC), 71; Pete Ballo (Woodway CC), 72; Jeff Curl (Cedar Knob GC), 72; Wally Gonzalez (Golf Performance Center), 73; Max Theodorakis (Ridgewood CC), 73; John Jackopsic (Gillette Ridge GC), 73; Dave Szewczul (Tunxis Plantation CC), 73; Paul Pastore (Middlesex EClub), 74; Dave Giuletti (GC of Avon), 74; Dave LaPierre (Tekoa CC), 74; Bobby Gage (Candlewood Valley CC), 74; Nick Cook (Tashua Knolls GC), 74; Brian Lamberti (Richter Park GC), 74.