Jonathan Bale widens lead at Terra Cotta Invitational
4/15/2023 | by Jim Young of AmateurGolf.com
see also: View results for Terra Cotta Invitational, Naples National Golf Club
The Welshman will take a four-shot lead into Sunday's final round at Naples 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.
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.
Results: Terra Cotta Invitational
| Place | Player | Location | Pts | Scores |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | , France | 500 | 72-69-72=213 | |
| T2 | Brookeville, MD | 400 | 75-69-70=214 | |
| T2 | Cheboygan, MI | 400 | 74-68-72=214 | |
| T2 | , Wales | 400 | 65-72-77=214 | |
| T5 | Dallas, TX | 300 | 74-70-71=215 |
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 consi...
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