PJ Maybank III holds a two shot lead in the Azalea Invitational

March 24, 2023 | by Sean Melia of AmateurGolf.com

PJ Maybank III shot a second round 64

Future Oklahoma Sooner is 12-under after a 64 at Country Club of Charleston. Callahan Keever gives chase after a 64 of his own

PJ Maybank III didn't buckle under the pressure of sitting atop the Azalea Invitational leaderboard in the second round. The high school senior will spend at least one more night sleeping on the lead. He bettered his blistering opening round 66 by two shots with a 64, putting him two shots clear of second place at 12-under par.

The brunt of Maybank III's work was done in the middle of the round. He started his round with a double bogey but then ripped off six birdies and an eagle from hole Nos. 4-13, including a birdie-eagle-birdie-birdie stretch.

The one player that kept touch with Maybank III was Calahan Keever, a freshman at Anderson University. Keever shot a solid opening round 68, and he backed it up with a 64 of his own on Friday afternoon. Over his 36 holes, he's made just two bogeys and is currently 10-under par.

The chasing pack

While Maybank III and Keever have separated themselves, there are still 36 holes left to play and plenty of talent of all ages ready to chase them down.

Tied in third place at five-under par are Mid-Am Bryce Hanstad, Florida Gulf Coast commit Brody Stevenson, and Flordia Gator Joseph Pagdin. Matt McClean is part of a four-way tie for sixth at four-under par. The 2022 U.S. Mid-Am champion is back in the United States from Northern Ireland as he preps for his appearance in The Masters.

Luke Poulter

The cadre of golfers at three-under would make anyone's knees knock. Nate Smith, Luke Poulter (Ian Poulter's son), Nicholas Prieto, and Bo Carpenter certainly have the firepower to go low and make the final round very interesting.

Poulter isn't the only son of a professional in the field. John Daly II slipped down the leaderboard with a one-over 72.

Notables near the cut line

After 54 holes, the field is cut to the top 60 and ties. Some players will need a solid third round to make the cut. GAP Mid-Am champ Troy Vannucci has already recorded three top tens this year, including a second place in the Florida Azalea.He shot 73-76 and is currently on the outside looking in. He'll need a strong third round to have a spot in the final day.

Tony Romo is also on the outside looking in right now. He shot two straight 75s and currently sits in a tie for 77th place.

Brandt Snedecker's brother, Haymes, is also hovering near the cut line. A solid 70 in the second round made up for a disappointing 76 on Thursday. He's in a tie for 49th.

Where's the defending champ?

Defending champion Luke Clanton, a freshman at Florida State is not in the field. It's likely due to the fact that the Seminoles will compete in the Valspar Collegiate on Monday and Tuesday. Even for the youthful Clanton, that would be a lot of golf and tight travel to get from Charleston to Palm City, Florida.

Results: Azalea Invitational

Place	Player	Location	Pts	Scores
1	P.J. Maybank	Cheboygan, MI	500	66-64-68-64=262
2	Hampton Roberts	Cary, NC	400	72-66-67-68=273
3	Calahan Keever	Greenville, SC	300	68-64-70-72=274
T4	Nate Smith	Tetonia, ID	300	70-69-71-66=276
T4	Bruce Murphy	Johns Creek, GA	300	70-70-69-67=276

View full results for Azalea Invitational

About the Azalea Invitational

PJ Maybank III holds a two shot lead in 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 cham...