Haag, who’s aiming for his first title in the event, held on to the lead at this week’s event by posting a 2-over 73 thanks in part to a hole-out eagle on the tough par-4 third hole on a balmy Thursday at par-71 Poppy Hills GC.
The 73 gives Haag, who later had birdies on the 16th and 18th, a two-day total of even-par 142.
In a three-way tie for second at 143 are three players—Tony Padilla, Mark Morgan and Mike Rowley. Padilla, who won the event in 2017 by draining a 70-foot eagle putt on the 18th and final hole of regulation, had a second round 74.
Morgan, winner of this year’s NCGA Senior Valley Amateur, and Rowley, the CEO of Straight Down Clothing, both made moves up the leaderboard with rounds of 70.
At 145, just three shots behind Haag, is the tandem of Bobby Schaeffer and Steve Donnelly, who each shot 74. Casey Boyns, the last back-to-back champion (2015-’16), is alone in seventh place at 146 following a 74.
Should Haag win, it would mark his fifth career NCGA Senior crown (two Senior Four-Ball and two Senior Match Play) and 21st overall NCGA crown. The victory would also help Haag in his pursuit of a second NCGA Senior Player of the Year title.
Entering the event, the 2017 winner was 126 points behind 2018 Senior POY Jeff Wilson. Wilson is competing instead at the U.S. Mid-Amateur in Colorado. The NCGA Senior Championship is a 500 point event.
Morgan also could make things interesting. He entered the event 257 points behind Wilson.
The cut (low 30 and ties) came at 12-over 154.