St. Augustine Amateur: Saccente Builds His Lead to 4

ST. AUGUSTINE, FL (October 14, 2017) - Michael Saccente (Edgewater, FL) has opened up a four-shot lead in the St. Augustine Amateur, following his opening 67 with a two-under 68 at St. Johns Golf Club. It was the second straight day that the University of North Florida redshirt freshman posted the low round of the day. Related: Saccente Leads St. Augustine Amateur with a 67 Saccente started the day with a one shot-lead over Rasmey Kong (W. Palm Beach, FL) but picked up two shots on Kong at the long par-four second hole when Kong made a double-bogey. Kong went one under the rest of the way, eventually finishing with a 71, but still lost ground to Saccente. Saccente made two birdies (at 8 and 17) and sixteen pars to shoot his 68. He has been bogey-free for 34 straight holes going back to his only bogey of the tournament so far, which came at the 2nd hole in round one. Giulio Castagnara of Italy, who recently completed his golf career at Texas Christian University, tied Saccente for the day's low round, making four birdies against two bogeys for a 68. Castagnara was six shots behind at one point but played the final seven holes in three under to get into a tie with Kong at one-under 139, four shots back. Mauro Antonio Baez of Argentina was four under on his last ten holes to shoot a 69 and get to even par, five shots behind Saccente and in solo fourth place. His fellow countryman Juan Iturra is alone in fifth place, one shot further back at one-over 141. Five players--David Morgan (70), Gordan Brixi (72), Sam Nicholson (72), Devin Suri (69) and Cody Carroll (73)--are tied for sixth at two-over 142, seven shots behind the leader Saccente. The final round will be played Sunday morning. Saccente, Castagnara, and Kong will play in the final threesome at 10:57am local (Eastern) time.