The 30th Terra Cotta Invitational is set up for a tight finish, as Guiseppe Puebla and Parker Bell enter the final round tied at 9-under par following Friday’s second round at Naples National Golf Club.
Puebla, representing West Palm Beach, backed up his opening-round 64 with a steady 1-under 71 in ideal scoring conditions, with temperatures sitting in the low 80s throughout the day. Bell, a University of Florida senior from Tallahassee, matched Puebla at the top of the leaderboard after rounds of 66 and 69.
Just two shots back at 7-under par, the chasing group features Connor Doyal, a mid-amateur from Charleston, South Carolina, and Dawson Lew of Canada. Doyal surged into contention with a second-round 67, while Lew followed up his opening 68 with a 69 to stay firmly in the hunt.
A group tied at 6-under remains within striking distance, including Austin Krahn of Canada and Miles Eubanks of South Carolina, while several players sit at 5-under heading into the final day.
Saturday’s final round promises a compelling finish, with the final pairing of Puebla and Bell scheduled to tee off at 9:30 a.m. as they battle for one of the most prestigious titles in amateur golf.
With calm conditions and a leaderboard packed with talent, the stage is set for a dramatic conclusion to the 30th edition of the Terra Cotta Invitational.