Juan Carlos Benitez takes second-round lead at Terra Cotta Invitational

NAPLES, Fla. (April 14, 2012) -- Juan Carlos Benitez made a valiant surge on early on Day 2 of the 2012 Terra Cotta Invitational at Naples National Golf Club. Benitez fired a 2-under 70 on a day when some contenders floundered, Benitez came out firing with birdies on two of the first four holes. First-round leader Curtis Thompson struggled in the second round. After a first-round 67, he ballooned with a 77, likely putting himself out of contention in the hotly-contested event. Donald Constable and Jim Liu were knotted in a tie for second place at 4-under for the tournament, just one shot behind Benitez. Tae Wan Lee and Danny Guise were well within striking distance following Round 2. Guise wasn't able to duplicate his first-round 68 but managed a 73 Saturday in the second round. Wan Lee shot a 71 to remain tied four fourth. Nathan Kimsey at 2-under and Mike Miller at 1-under were the only other competitors under par heading into the final round. Other notables include Matt NeSmith, who shot 73 and is now tied for 10th. Frank Vana, a longtime amateur star from Massachusetts, is tied for 28th.