Brennan maintains lead with 2 rounds to go at Middle Atlantic Am

After two rounds of the Middle Atlantic Amateur, Michael Brennan remains in the lead as he chases his third consecutive title in this event. The difference between his first- and second-round scores was significant. A second-round 77 put him in the same neighborhood as his pursuers. Lucky for Brennan, his opening 68 at Westwood Country Club in Vienna, Va., still gives him a two-shot cushion entering the final round of the event.

Brennan, of Leesburg, Va., had four bogeys in his first six holes on Friday before making his first birdie at No. 7. He promptly followed that with a double bogey – just as he had done the day before – and another bogey left him with a 41 at the turn. He managed a 36 on the back.

No player went under par on Friday. In fact, Brennan’s opening 68 is the only red number on the board so far, period.

Larkin Gross of Springfield, Va., had a second-round 73 that moved him into second place. Gross is 7 over, and two shots behind Brennan at 5 over.

Michael Brown in 9 over after rounds of 75-74 and in third place, followed by a group of two players at 10 over in fifth place including Mark Cusic and Jeffrey Long.