Northern Amateur: Hernandez takes lead

CHESTERTON, Ind. (July 25, 2013) -- Juan Pablo Hernandez of Mexico and the University of Arizona, fired a second-round 7-under 65 and leads by a shot at the Northern Amateur. Hernandez, who won last year's South Beach International, was even after Round 1 but exploded on Thursday for the event's lowest round yet and a lead entering Friday's final round at Sand Creek Golf Club. Jack Perry, who led after the first round, is alone in second. He shot a second straight 69 in Round 2. Chad Merzbacher bounced back in a big way after a first-round 73. He shot 66 on Thursday to shoot into third place. The Northern Amateur is a popular national amateur tournament played from 1967-2001 with a solid list of past champions. It returned to the schedule in 2011 and is a 54-hole stroke-play championship with a field of 96 players.