Hudgens leads Lupton Inv.

OOLTEWAH, Tenn. (May 25, 2013) -- Thad Hudgens fired a second-round 71 and leads by three shots entering the final round of play at the 2013 Lupton Invitational at The Honors Course. Hudgens opened Friday with a 73 and trailed first-round leader Dalton Melnyk by three shots. Melnyk struggled to a Saturday 77, leaving the door open for Hudgens. Melnyk is now in second place. Defending champion Kris Mikkelsen is alone in third after rounds of 71-78. The event, named after club founder John T. Lupton, debuted in 2005 on the spectacular Pete Dye course outside Chattanooga. The U.S. Amateur and NCAA Championship have both been contested at the course. The Lupton annually draws one of the top mid-amateur fields of the season.