Monroe: Rank ahead by two strokes

By Jack Persons PITTSFORD, N.Y. (June 12, 2014) — Garrett Rank of Canada shot a second consecutive 66 today at the Monroe Invitational to take a two stroke lead. On a rainy, muggy day in upstate New York, Rank, a mid-amateur who lives only three hours away in Ontario, felt right at home at Monroe. After bogeying the first hole, he made five birdies on the way in to post four-under for the day and eight-under 132 for the tournament. First-round leader Trevor Sluman of the University of Louisville followed up his first round 65 with a 69 today, and trails by two. Sluman had four birdies on his card, but bogeyed three holes on the back nine. Derek Bard of the University of Virginia posted the low round of the day and the tournament so far with a six-under 64. He went bogey-free on the day, making three birdies on each side. Taylor Pendrith of Kent State is the other player tied for second at 134, as he shot a second consecutive 67. His round included six birdies, and three of them came on par-4s over 470 yards. Other notables still in contention include a host of strong players tied for ninth at 136. Adam Svensson of Barry University, Corey Conners of Kent State, and local Gavin Hall of the University of Texas all posted two-round totals of four-under par. It rained on-and-off all day at Monroe, keeping the greens softer. Scores have been lower than usual because of the conditions this year, and 32 players currently stand at par or better for the tournament. Third round play begins tomorrow, with more rain scheduled in the forecast.