Jonathan Bale widens lead at Terra Cotta Invitational

An even par round of 72 was all Jonathan Bale needed to double his lead after two rounds of the Terra Cotta Invitational being held at Naples (Fla.) National Golf Club.

After a brilliant opening round of 65 on Friday, the 35-year-old from Baton Rouge, La. shared the first-round lead with Cal commit and 2022 AJGA Player of the Year Eric Lee, two strokes clear of William Jennings, the 43rd-rated player in the AJGA rankings.

While Lee skyrocketed to an 81 on Saturday, Bale played steady if not spectacular golf to post an even par 72 which left him at 7-under at the 36-hole mark of the tournament, good for a four-stroke lead over Quentin Debove and Jennings.

Bale, who was born and raised in Wales and grew up just minutes from the famous Royal Porthcawl Golf Club, offset a pair of bogeys with two birdies on holes No. 4 and 11. A three-shot cushion turned to two after an unfortunate bogey on the par-5 18th.

The low round of the day belonged to P.J. Maybank, who had six birdies on his card en route to a 4-under 68. Maybank, who won the Azalea Amateur a few weeks ago, climbed 22 spots up the leaderboard into a tie for fourth place with mid-amateur Mark Costanza, who was the runner-up to Stewart Hagestad at the 2021 U.S. Mid-Amateur.

At 2-under 142, both golfers are five back of Bale heading into Sunday's final round.

Bale will be paired with Debove and Jennings for tomorrow's final round.