Jim Liu shoots 2nd-round 63 but Austin Langdale still leads at Azalea Invitational
3/22/2013 | by Benjamin Larsen of AmateurGolf.com
see also: View results for Azalea Invitational , Country Club of Charleston
Liu, the nation's top-ranked junior, tied the competitive course record but Langdale leads by two shots
In the 65th playing of the event, Liu, the Stanford-bound junior from Smithtown, NY, went 5-under on the back nine to close the low round of the tournament while tying the competitive course record. After a first-round 76, Liu finds himself in a tie for fourth place.
He’s four off the pace set by first-round leader Austin Langdale, who maintained his lead with a second-round 69. Langdale, a recent Clemson commit and Top 40 junior in Golfweek’s rankings, opened play Thursday with a 5-under 66 and led by one shot. His 2- under 69 Friday gives him a two-shot lead over Scott Harvey, a talented mid-am from North Carolina, who’s alone in second at 5-under after his Friday 67.
Will Long, another junior, is in third place after two-straight 69s to open the event.
One back of Liu and two others tied for fourth place is Mike Miller, the highest-ranked player (fifth) in the event according to the Golfweek/amateurgolf.com U.S. Player Rankings. He shot a second consecutive 70 and is 2-under after two rounds.
Former PGA Tour player and the 1997 Azalea champ John Engler followed his first-round 73 up with a 70 on Friday and is in a tie for 12th.
Four-time U.S. Mid-Amateur Champion Nathan Smith is tied for 20th after a second-round 70.
Brian Westveer of Charlotte, who held the morning lead in Round 1, struggled with a second-round 77 and is tied for 25th alongside Walker Cup hopeful Todd White.
Being played for the 65th time, the Azalea is one of the season’s most prized tournaments. The prestigious event, held at a club that was first established in 1786, attracts one of the top fields in amateur golf. Past champions include Webb Simpson, D.J. Trahan and Smith, one of the top amateurs to ever play the game.
Amateurgolf.com will have continuing coverage of the Azalea Invitational, considered a ‘Major of amateurgolf.com’, throughout the weekend.
Results: Azalea Invitational
| Place | Player | Location | Pts | Scores |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Townville, SC | 700 | 66-69=135 | |
| 2 | Kernersville, NC | 500 | 70-67=137 | |
| 3 | Gastonia, NC | 400 | 69-69=138 | |
| T4 | Smithtown, NY | 400 | 76-63=139 | |
| T4 | Sacramento, CA | 400 | 74-65=139 |
About 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...
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