Fifteen-year-old Asterisk Talley shot a second straight 2-under par 70 and has extended her lead in the Junior Invitational at Sage Valley Golf Club to four strokes. Bowen Mauss, 17, and Louis Klein, 14, fired 4-under par 68s to finish the second round in a first-place tie at 6-under.

Playing in a steady rain, Talley, from Chowchilla, Calif., was equally steady, carding five birdies to offset three bogies on the day. She carries a four-stroke lead into the final round of the prestigious Junior Invitational over Nikki Oh, a 16-year-old from Torrance, Calif.; Gianna Clemente, a 15-year-old from Estero, Fla.; and Rianne Malixi, a 17-year-old from Quezon City, Philippines. Oh had the low round of the day on the girl’s side, firing a 3-under 69 to get into the mix.

Clemente is ranked No. 101 in the Golfweek/AmateurGolf.com Women's Rankings.

“I like playing in tougher conditions, so this weather sets up well for me,” said Oh. “I’m just going continue with my same game plan tomorrow and play my best.” 

Talley said her success on day one gave her confidence in her quest for her first gold jacket.

“After yesterday, I felt like I was in a position to be in the running and could actually win,” said Talley. “The greens were a little slower today due to the rain. I was just trying to hit every green so I could have an easy one or two-putt. Tomorrow, I’m just going to play like we are all even and just play my game.”