LEMONT, IL (September 13, 2016) -- With a 1-under 70 second round score, two-time and defending champion Dave Ryan broke free of a three-way tie for first and took the 36-hole lead at the Illinois State Senior Amateur. Ryan, even-par, will carry a four-stroke lead into the final day at Bloomington Country Club.

Ryan, a five-time Chicago Golf District Senior Player of the Year winner, started his day with a run of pars before closing his front nine out with birdies on the 6th, 7th and 9th holes to turn in 3-under 33 and 2-under for the tournament. On the back nine Ryan did struggle a bit with three bogeys and birdie but he was still able to create some breathing room before Wednesday's final round.

First round co-leader Ted Pecora fell to 4-over after a 3-over 74 and he will begin the last round in solo second place. Pecora did birdie the final hole so he will look to carry that momentum into the third round.

Tom Miller, 5-over, is third, first round co-leader Tim Sheppard, 6-over, is now in fourth while three others including 2014 Illinois State Senior Amateur winner Ed Whitaker are tied for fifth at 8-over.

ROUND ONE RECAP

A trio of players sit atop the first round Illinois State Senior Amateur leaderboard at Bloomington Country Club. The group at 1-over includes Tim Sheppard, Dave Ryan and Ted Pecora.

Two-time and defending champion Dave Ryan is the most notable name in the lead group following the opening 18-holes. Ryan, who also won in 2013, bogeyed two of his first four holes but he was able to bring it back a bit with birdies on the 6th and 18th and only one more bogey.

After six holes you never would have thought that Tim Sheppard would be tied for lead. Through the 6th Sheppard was 4-over, but in an impressive turn around he was able to salvage his round on the back nine. After turning in 3-over 39 Sheppard put together a closing nine of 2-under 33. On the side Sheppard did bogey two holes but he also birdied a pair and carded an eagle on the par-4 17th.

Pecora's first round was similar to the two he shares the lead with. After starting slowly with bogeys on Nos. 1 and 4 Pecora found his footing and played two birdie, one bogey golf the rest of the day.

Brad Barker and Tom Miller are tied for fourth only one back at 2-over, Wayne Moore is sixth but just two behind at 3-over. In all 13 players are within five-strokes of the lead.

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