Defending champion Hunter Hawkins strengthened his grip on the Alabama State Mid-Amateur Championship, firing a second-round 65 to build a five-shot lead at Wynlakes Golf & Country Club in Montgomery.
Hawkins, who held a one-shot advantage after an opening 67, made eight birdies during his second round to move to 12-under 132 (67-65) through 36 holes.
His closest challenger is Jackson King of Vestavia Hills. King improved on his opening 70 with a 5-under 67 to reach 7-under 137, five shots behind Hawkins with one round remaining.
Stewart Whitt made one of the bigger moves of the second round. After beginning with an even-par 72, Whitt matched King's 67 to climb into solo third at 5-under 139.
Three players will begin the final round eight shots off the lead at 4-under 140. First-round co-runner-up Hunter Hamrick followed his 68 with a 72, while James Medley posted rounds of 69-71. Matt Johnson joined them after scores of 71-69.
Hawkins entered the week seeking to successfully defend his title, and his 65 created significant separation after a tightly packed opening round. He began Saturday only one ahead of Hamrick and Ethan Hagood and two clear of a group at 3-under.
The second round was interrupted by inclement weather at 1:58 p.m. Play resumed at 3:20 p.m. following a delay of one hour and 22 minutes.
Scoring proved difficult across much of the field, with the second-round average at 77.51. Sixteen players broke par, while the field combined for 236 birdies and three eagles.
The cut fell at 9-over, with 60 players advancing to the final round.
Round 1 report -
Defending champion Hunter Hawkins picked up where he left off at the Alabama State Mid-Amateur Championship, firing a 5-under 67 to take the opening-round lead at Wynlakes Golf & Country Club in Montgomery, AL.
Hawkins, of Fort Payne, holds a one-shot advantage as he begins his bid for consecutive titles in a field that includes 11 past champions.
Hunter Hamrick of Pike Road and Ethan Hagood of Vestavia Hills are Hawkins' nearest challengers after matching 4-under 68s. Both will enter the second round just one shot off the pace.
Four players are another stroke back at 3-under 69, leaving seven golfers within two shots of the lead.
Tyler Smith of Opelika, James Medley of Homewood, Trent Alexander of Florence and Blake Watts of Fort Payne share fourth place after each broke 70 in the opening round.
The leaderboard remains tightly packed behind them, with six players tied for eighth at 2-under 70. That group includes Thomas Luther of Hoover, Emile Vaughan of Fairhope, Jackson King of Vestavia Hills, Van Thigpen of Elberta, Shaw Pritchett of Montgomery and Will Thompson of Vestavia Hills.
Hawkins will carry the lead into the second round as he looks to defend his championship successfully, but with Hamrick and Hagood one back and six more players within three shots, the title race remains wide open.
This is a live report from the Alabama State Mid-Amateur Championship. Follow along for more updates as the tournament unfolds.
