Beau Hossler surges into lead at Southern Amateur

by Jack Persons, AmateurGolf.com OOLTEWAH, Tenn. (July 17, 2014) – Beau Hossler says he wants to graduate before he turns professional. His game says differently. The rising sophomore at Texas shot a four-under 68 at the Southern Amateur on Thursday to tie first round leader Grayson Murray at six-under 138. Hossler made eight birdies at the Honors Course in the second round, but had some inconsistency in his round as well. He wedged a birdie between two bogeys on the front side, and split up a four-birdies-in-five-holes streak with a double bogey. The result was a 68, and a piece of the lead. The two-time U.S. Open contestant has been on fire of late, making it to the finals of the California State Amateur, as well as taking home a big victory at the Southern California Amateur. Murray, of Arizona State, stayed put in the second round with an even-par 72. He carded two birdies on 17 and 18, his eighth and ninth holes of the day, and two bogeys, including one on his last hole of the round. Will Starke will be the last member of the final pairing tomorrow after following up his first round two-under 70 with a 69 on Thursday. He made five birdies to negate two bogeys, and sits in solo third at five-under 139. Seth Reeves of Georgia Tech posted the low round of the day, a bogey-free 65 that included seven birdies. He made three in a row early, on his second through fourth holes, to spark some momentum after a tough first round seven-over 79. He finished the day at even-par 144, well within the cutline, and in striking distance of the leaders. The tournament cut the field to the low 66 and ties after the second round, and 77 players finished at seven-over 151 or better. Play continues Saturday and Sunday, with the remaining 77 top amateur vying for the renowned Southern Amateur title, along with an invitation to next year’s Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill. For full results, follow the link below.