J.B. Williams Holds the Halfway Lead at Eastern Amateur

PORTSMOUTH, VA (July 14, 2017) - J.B. Williams, a recent graduate of the University of Akron, continues to lead the 61st Eastern Amateur at Elizabeth Manor Golf & Country Club. Related: Eastern Amateur: J.B. Williams posts 62 for early lead Williams, who opened the tournament with a stellar round of eight-under 62, posted a three-under 67 Friday to complete 36 holes at 11-under 129. After playing his opening nine in even par, Williams then ran off four consecutive birdies beginning at the 10th to move to 12-under before a bogey on 14. Williams plans to turn professional after the U.S. Amateur, and would like to make his last visit to Elizabeth Manor a memorable one with two more strong rounds. A shot back after a four-under par 66 is Radford golfer Myles Creighton. Creighton continues a hot streak that saw him win the prestigious Rice Planters tournament last month and the Nova Scotia Amateur championship last week. Creighton’s round included 6 birdies and 2 bogeys. Campbell’s Brett McLamb and East Tennessee State golfer Ben Reichert are third 4 shots off the pace at 7-under 133. Incoming Virginia freshman Brandon Yoon and Virginia Tech golfer Ian Hildebrand are in a group 7 shots off the pace tied for 12th. Among local golfers, Mike Southworth of Virginia Beach leads the way tied for 15th at 3-under par. Elizabeth Manor member John Rosenstock of Virginia Beach is 1-under and Suffolk’s Trey Wren is even par. 80 players made the cut which came at 4 over par 144.