Connor Howe, a junior at Georgia Tech, shot an 9-under round of 62 on Thursday to take the solo lead at the 115th Southern Amateur being played at Old Waverly Golf Club in West Point, Miss.
Maxwell Moldovan, who had a share of the first-round lead at 7-under after opening with a 64, is two back at 10-under 132 after carding a 68 on Thursday.
Karl Vilips, the 2017 Southern Amateur champion, is also at 10-under after a second round 67.Howe did he do it???? Connor Howe fired 62 (-9) to lead round two of the 115th Southern Amateur!!!! He stands 130 (-12) for the tournament. #ThisIsHoweWeDoIt #SouthernAm
— Southern Golf Association (@sgagolf) July 15, 2021
The 115th Southern Amateur Championship is presented by @stitchgolf pic.twitter.com/HEpe9uPz6X
Connor McKinney and Reid Davenport, who along with Moldovan shared the first round lead at 7-under, fell five shots off the pace after shooting even par rounds of 71 on Thursday.
One hundred and fifty-six top-ranked golfers, representing 33 states and six countries, are competing for the Championship title.
The greatest amateur of them all, Bobby Jones, won this tournament three times. Past champions of the Southern Amateur also include: Harris English, Kyle Stanley, Webb Simpson, Justin Leonard, Len Mattiace, Scott Dunlap, Steve Lowery, Mark Brooks, Bob Tway, Ben Crenshaw, Bill Rogers, Lanny Wadkins, Hubert Green, and Gay Brewer.