Co-leader Matt Parziale of Mass. (Chris Keane/USGA)
VERO BEACH, Fla. — With weather delaying play during the second round of the U.S. Mid-Amateur Championship, darkness fell quickly on the field as they battled for the top 64 spots and a chance at match play on the West Course at John's Island Club.
Leading the way in the suspended second round is defending champion Scott Harvey of Greensboro, N.C. and Matt Parziale of Brockton, Mass. at 4-under par. Harvey, after a 3-under 69 on the West Course, is 1-under in his second round with two holes remaining. Parziale, who ran away with this year's Massachusetts Mid-Amateur title, posted 70 on day one on the North Course, and is finished with his second round, turning in 69 on the West Course.
“I have been putting really well and keeping it out of trouble,” Parziale told the USGA. “Just to get into match play was a goal.”
Four players are tied for third place three shots back at 1-under, and all have completed 36 holes. Included in that group is 2013 U.S. Mid-Amateur champion and 2015 Walker Cup team member Mike McCoy of West Des Moines, Iowa, who rebounded from a first-round 73 to card 69 on day two and secure a high-seed.
“I drove it in the fairway, which was really important, hit a lot of good iron shots and didn’t three-putt,” McCoy told the USGA. “There will be a lot of tough matches (coming up) but I will be tough, too.”
Also in at 1-under are Robby McWilliams of Benton, La., Brian Komline of Bridgewater, N.J., and Andrew Wyatt of Midland, Texas.
The cut line, which will either fall at 5-over or 6-over, eliminated a few notable players. Pat Christovich of New Orleans, La., 2015 U.S. Senior Amateur medalist and 2011 U.S. Mid-Amateur champion Randal Lewis, and 2014 Crump Cup winner Michael Muehr will all head home from South Florida with disappointment. Last year's runner-up, Brad Nurski of St. Joseph, Mo., will likely have to birdie his final three holes on Monday morning to have a chance at squeaking into the remainder of the tournament.
Four-time champion Nathan Smith followed a 5-over 76 on Saturday with a 1-over 73 on Sunday for a total of 6-over 149 and is also in danger of missing the cut for match play.
Following the completion of stroke play on Monday morning, a playoff will be held if necessary to determine the final berths in the 64-player match-play bracket and the first round of match play will begin on the property's West Course.
ABOUT THE
U.S. Mid-Amateur
The U.S. Mid-Amateur originated in 1981 for the
amateur golfer of at least 25 years of age, the
purpose of which to provide a formal national
championship for the post-college player. 264
players
begin the championship with two rounds of sroke
play
qualifying held at two courses, after which the low
64
(with a playoff if necessary to get the exact number)
advance to single elimination match play.
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