Georgia Amateur: Dru Love extends lead to two

ST. SIMONS ISLAND, Ga. — Two rounds of play are in the books at the Georgia Amateur Championship and local favorite Dru Love remains in the lead with a 7-under-par 133 score, turning his one-stroke 18-hole lead into a two-stroke advantage. The 94th playing of the annual state championship is taking place on the Seaside Course at Sea Island Golf Club, July 9-12. Love began the second round on the back nine on Friday and picked up where he left off on Thursday. In round one he recorded three birdies, an eagle and a bogey for a 31, and on Friday he posted birdies on 12, 14, 15 and 17 to once again turn in a 31. The only mistake he made all day came on the par 3, 204-yard third hole where he made bogey. His 133 two-day total is two strokes better than the field. "I got off to a really hot start," said Love. "I played the back nine first and hit some really good shots. I had it going. It was hot. With conditions like we had, with very little wind, I should have shot better." Love is anxious to get back out on his home course at Sea Island Golf Club for Saturday's third round. "I'm looking forward to getting back out there tomorrow," he added. "My plan is to hit more fairways. Every time I do that I feel like I get a good look." Three players posted rounds of 64 on Friday, including Zachary Healy of Peachtree Corners (71-64), Trey Rule of Eatonton (73-64) and Will Chandler of Atlanta (74-64). Robert Mize of Columbus, who was the winner of last year's Georgia Amateur Championship at Idle Hour Club in Macon, sits at 1-under-par 139 (69-70) through two rounds of play. David Noll, Jr., of Dalton, a two-time Georgia Amateur champion (2011, 2003), recorded rounds of 75-71 and is 6-over-par 146. Now that 36-holes are complete, 71 players made the cut at 8-over-par 148 or better.