Jonathan Bale widens lead at Terra Cotta Invitational
Jonathan Bale
An even par round of 72 was all
Jonathan Bale needed to double his lead after two rounds of the Terra Cotta Invitational being held at Naples (Fla.) National Golf Club.
After a brilliant opening round of 65 on Friday, the 35-year-old from Baton Rouge, La. shared the first-round lead with Cal commit and 2022 AJGA Player of the Year
Eric Lee, two strokes clear of
William Jennings, the 43rd-rated player in the AJGA rankings.
While Lee skyrocketed to an 81 on Saturday, Bale played steady if not spectacular golf to post an even par 72 which left him at 7-under at the 36-hole mark of the tournament, good for a four-stroke lead over Quentin Debove and Jennings.
Bale, who was born and raised in Wales and grew up just minutes from the famous Royal Porthcawl Golf Club, offset a pair of bogeys with two birdies on holes No. 4 and 11. A three-shot cushion turned to two after an unfortunate bogey on the par-5 18th.
The low round of the day belonged to
P.J. Maybank, who had six birdies on his card en route to a 4-under 68. Maybank, who won the
Azalea Amateur a few weeks ago, climbed 22 spots up the leaderboard into a tie for fourth place with mid-amateur
Mark Costanza, who was the runner-up to
Stewart Hagestad at the
2021 U.S. Mid-Amateur.
At 2-under 142, both golfers are five back of Bale heading into Sunday's final round.
Bale will be paired with Debove and Jennings for tomorrow's final round.
ABOUT THE
Terra Cotta Invitational
54-hole stroke play tournament with no cut.
Caddies are required. A Sponsor/Contestant
tournament is held before the event.
The Terra Cotta is an invitational. However,
they do
encourage applications and players can submit
their
golf resume for consideration.
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