Tucker-Roof started the second round two shots behind 17-year-old high school juniors Michael Childress of Salisbury, N.C. and Lansdon Robbins of Davidson, N.C. After posting a sensational 9-under 61 in the opening round, Childress-Robbins could only muster four birdies against two bogeys Thursday en route to 68--129, one shy of Tucker-Roof.
High school seniors Ryan Marter and Jack Parrott of Columbia, S.C. were tied for second with Tucker-Roof to begin the day. Their 66 also fell one stroke short of forcing a playoff for medalist. A lone bogey on the par-3 sixth was the only blemish on an otherwise clean scorecard consisting of five birdies.
Thru nine holes of the second round, three teams were tied at 10-under in the chase for medalist honors. Along with Tucker-Roof and Childress-Robbins, the team of Parker Dudley of Charleston, S.C. and Camden Country Club member Ryan Reynolds made four birdies on their opening nine to climb to the top of the leaderboard. Two inward bogeys dropped them from medalist contention. Their 131 (-9) total finished T-4.
Tucker-Roof sandwiched a 2013 Carolinas Four-Ball title between two runner-up finishes in '12 and '14. Last year, they tied for the low stroke play qualifying score, but returned to their jobs before a playoff was held. In the match play bracket, they advanced to the Round of 16, losing in 19 holes to the eventual runner-up team. "We've been playing in this event together for eight years or so, but have struggled in stroke play. Last year and this year something clicked." Tucker recalled.
When an early bogey on No. 4 offered to derail Tucker-Roof's round Thursday, they rebounded with a birdie on the next hole, courtesy of a four-foot putt by Tucker. Four more birdies completed their 65, Thursday's best round, and stroke play qualifying low total of 12-under 128.
While earning medalist honors is a sign of their good play, Tucker-Roof know it means little going forward into match play. "Now the tournament starts again," Tucker said. "Basically everyone is back to even."
After the second round of four-ball stroke play qualifying, the field was cut to the low 32 teams for match play. While 33 teams posted 139 or better, no playoff was needed as one team was absent at the time the playoff would be conducted.
The first two rounds of match play will commence on Friday. After four rounds of match play over two days, the scheduled 18-hole championship match will be played on Sunday.