Banke takes control at Bayonet Black Horse Amateur

Christian Banke climbed the leaderboard at the Bayonet Black Horse Amateur, even if he didn’t have that far to climb. Banke leap-frogged first-round leader Andrew Gibson with an even-par 72 on a day when scoring wasn’t particularly low on the difficult Seaside, Calif., track.

Banke, the San Diego State player who is coming off a runner-up finish at last month’s California Amateur, eagled the par-5 18th for an even-par 72. It was four shots higher than his opening 68.

Gibson, however, chased his opening 67 with a 76. The Scotland native who plays for Houston had too many big numbers on the back nine to keep pace with Banke. He is now tied for fifth with Pacific Grove’s Nicklaus Rivera. Both men are three shots off Banke’s pace entering the final round.

Three men are just two shots back at 2 under, and that includes Ryan Knop, Puwit Anupansuebsai and Michael Cliff. Among that group – and among the field as a whole – Cliff had the most impressive Day 2 performance. He had four birdies and a bogey on his way to a 3-under 69. He and Newport Laparojkit (T-9) were the only players to break 70 on Sunday.

The 36-hole cut fell at 8 over, and 33 players will tee it up for Monday’s final round.