Kevin Marsh

With a guaranteed 2 spots remaining for mid-ams, and just 3 other spots left after the first 5 team USA players were announced, winning major amateur tournaments, against fields that are mostly young college players, is one of the best things a player like Kevin Marsh can do to get noticed.

Marsh is a 3-time (over the last four years) champion of the Carlton Woods Invitational played at this year's Southern Amateur venue, the Club at Carlton Woods. He has both the length, accuracy, and steady putter to tame the long Nicklaus Course, and an almost home course advantage because he likely has ten times the number of rounds here than most players in the field.

Marsh showed it by opening with a 65 Wednesday, the following with a 4-under 68 Thursday to take a 3-shot lead at the Southern Amateur Championship at 11-under.

“I just hope I can keep playing well, but it’s two more days in this heat,” Marsh told the Southern Golf Association. “I love this place," added the real estate developer.

Trailing Marsh are University of California senior Michael Weaver (who is definitely on the Walker Cup shortlist) and Georgia Tech junior Oliver Schniederjans. Weaver finished 2nd at the Players Amateur last week in Hilton Head; his chance to catch up with the leader being thwarted by a final round washout. He was runner-up in the 2012 U.S. Amateur, lipping out a putt to win it outright on the 36th hole.

First-round leader Zachary Olsen, who shot 8-under 64 on Wednesday, posted a 1-over 73 Thursday and is tied for fourth.