Ryan Clarke had one of the few red numbers on Saturday (TGA photo)

Clarke started his day on the par-4 10th hole and finished his first nine holes 1-under. He drained a birdie putt on the 495-yard, par-5 16th hole after a run of six consecutive pars to start his day. Clarke continued his strong play after the turn, carding another birdie on the 1st hole before a run of three bogeys in a row. Two more birdies in the last four holes propelled Clarke back into red numbers for the day.

Defending champion Broc Haymon started his second round with two birdies in his first five holes, but that was as low as he got on the day. Haymon was sitting at 2-under after 13 holes, but back-to-back double-bogeys helped derail his strong start. He finished the round with a 3-over-par 74 to head into the final round five strokes behind Clarke.

Syrko shot a 2-over-par 74 to move up into third place overall. Three birdies in his round helped him move up the leaderboard after round two.

First round leader Mike Booker shot a 79 in the second round, but remains tied for second among Mid-Masters. Clarke is also the Mid-Master leader.

Three players finished round two under par, as Jess Bonneau and Bill Sharpe joined Clarke in red numbers. All three shot a tournament-low 71.

The third and final round tees off at 8 a.m. on Sunday. The leaders tee off from the 1st hole at 9:21 a.m.

ROUND ONE RECAP

Mike Booker of Houston on Friday shot even-par 72 to take the first round lead at the 2018 Texas South Mid-Amateur, presented by Impact Precision Golf. Played at The Club at Falcon Point, Booker was the only golfer to finish in red numbers and leads Ryan Clarke by one stroke.

Booker, a three-time Texas Senior Player of the Year, was grouped with defending champion Broc Haymon. Booker got started quickly with a birdie on the par-3 second hole. Booker also birdied the sixth and 12th holes to get as low as 3-under on the day. He bogeyed the par-3 13th and followed that with a double bogey on the par-4 15th.

Haymon finished with a 74 and shares third place with Clint White after Day One. Haymon double-bogeyed the second hole and was never able to get back to even par, despite four birdies on the day. Haymon had back-to-back birdies on Nos. 15 and 16 to finish his round on a high note.

Clarke, who sits alone in second place, started strong with birdies on two of his first four holes. He also jarred an eagle on the 495-yard, par-5 16th hole. A stretch of four bogeys in five holes to start his back nine contributed to him finishing with a 1-over 73.

With springtime breezes in effect, heavy winds were prevalent throughout the first round. Wind speeds exceeded 20 mph at times during the day.

Booker, who is 63 years old, also leads the Mid-Master division for players 40 and older.

The second round of the 54-hole stroke play event begins Saturday at 8 a.m.

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