Jim Liu shoots 2nd-round 63 but Austin Langdale still leads at Azalea Invitational
Jim Liu
CHARLESTON, S.C. (March 22, 2013) -- Jim
Liu, the top-ranked junior in
the nation according to Golfweek, fired an 8-
under 63 to move back into
contention on Day 2 of the 2013 Azalea
Invitational at The Country Club
of Charleston.
In the 65th playing of the event, Liu, the
Stanford-bound junior from
Smithtown, NY, went 5-under on the back nine
to close the low round of
the tournament while tying the competitive
course record. After a first-round 76, Liu
finds himself in a tie for
fourth place.
He’s four off the pace set by first-round leader
Austin Langdale, who
maintained his lead with a second-round 69.
Langdale, a recent Clemson
commit and Top 40 junior in Golfweek’s
rankings, opened play Thursday
with a 5-under 66 and led by one shot. His 2-
under 69 Friday gives him a
two-shot lead over Scott Harvey, a talented
mid-am from North
Carolina, who’s alone in second at 5-under
after his Friday 67.
Will Long, another junior, is in third place
after two-straight 69s to open
the event.
One back of Liu and two others tied for fourth
place is Mike Miller, the
highest-ranked player (fifth) in the event
according to the
Golfweek/amateurgolf.com U.S. Player
Rankings. He shot a second
consecutive 70 and is 2-under after two
rounds.
Former PGA Tour player and the 1997 Azalea
champ John Engler
followed his first-round 73 up with a 70 on
Friday and is in a tie for 12th.
Four-time U.S. Mid-Amateur Champion Nathan
Smith is tied for 20th
after a second-round 70.
Brian Westveer of Charlotte, who held the
morning lead in Round 1,
struggled with a second-round 77 and is tied
for 25th alongside Walker
Cup hopeful Todd White.
Being played for the 65th time, the Azalea is
one of the season’s most
prized tournaments. The prestigious event,
held at a club that was first
established in 1786, attracts one of the top
fields in amateur golf. Past
champions include Webb Simpson, D.J. Trahan
and Smith, one of the top
amateurs to ever play the game.
Amateurgolf.com will have continuing
coverage of the Azalea
Invitational, considered a ‘Major of
amateurgolf.com’, throughout the
weekend.
ABOUT THE
Azalea Invitational
72-hole stroke play championship with a 54-hole cut
on a
1925
Seth Raynor design. Good mix of college
players, juniors
and mid amateurs. 7 spots available in a
qualifier.
Impressive list of past champions at this
traditional event. Reigning USGA champs often use
this tournament as a tune-up for the Masters.
View Complete Tournament Information