Chris Korte jumps into Colorado Stroke Play lead

AURORA, Colo. — University of Denver golfer Chris Korte, of Lone Tree Golf Club, shot a 5- under-par 66 on Friday and grabbed the halfway lead at the 79th Colorado Stroke Play Championship at CommonGround Golf Course in Aurora.

In the second round, Korte made four birdies to go with an eagle at the 539-yard par-5 11th hole. His lone bogey of the day came at No. 13. That left the DU sophomore-to-be at 8-under-par 134 overall, good for a two-stroke advantage with two rounds remaining.

Korte (left) is coming off a freshman season with the Pioneers in which he posted three top- six finishes. University of Colorado golfer Ethan Freeman, of Glenmoor Country Club, and Loyola Marymount golfer Braden Baer, of Legacy Ridge Golf Course, share second place at 136 after matching rounds of 67-69 the first two days. Freeman overcame a double-bogey 7 at the third hole -- his 12th -- on Friday.

Colorado Christian University player Nathaniel Goddard, of Ptarmigan Country Club, holds down fourth place at 137 after a 67 on Friday. Goddard was a semifinalist last month in the CGA Match Play, which also was contested at CommonGround.

In all, 15 players are under par through two rounds. Among them is first-round leader Brendan Connolly of The Ridge at Castle Pines North, who backed up his first-round 64 with a 75, leaving him at 139. Nick Nosewicz of Meadow Hills Golf Course, winner of the 2015 CGA Match Play, checked in at 141 after struggling to shoot a 5-over-par 41 on his final nine holes on Friday.

The field was cut to the low 40 players and ties - - everyone at 148 or better -- after Friday's second round.