HUTCHINSON, KS (July 12, 2017) - Cameron Champ continued to build on his strong amateur performance at the U.S. Open by grabbing the second round lead at 114th annual Trans-Mississippi Championship at warm and windy Prairie Dunes Country Club.
Related: Trans Miss Amateur: Crouch, Richardson share round 1 lead
Champ, a Texas A&M senior from Sacramento, California, was only one of two amateurs to make the 36 hole cut at Erin Hills last month and showed that was no fluke by shooting a second round 65 for a 135 total, five-under-par, and a one shot lead over Stanford University golfer Franklin Huang who also shot 65.
First round co-leader Stoney Crouch, who recently graduated from Lipscomb University shot a second 69 and is tied with Haung for second with a 136 total.
Champ said the confidence gained at Erin Hills last month at the Open carried over to the Trans-Miss where temperatures closed in on 100 for the second straight day and winds of 10-20 miles an hour.
“That performance showed me what was possible for the future and what I could do,” Champ said. “I have battled (back) injury problems and haven’t been able to show my true potential. That is a big confidence boost what I did there.”
He showed the dedication and rebounding ability from day one when he made a triple bogey 7 on the par 4 11th hole, but still came back to shoot an even par 71 and was four shots back going to the second day.
“I have loved my time at Texas A&M, but I want to continue to play major amateur golf in the U.S. and internationally.”
Huang, from Poway, California, a senior this year at Stanford known as Frank the Tank at his school, had an eagle on the par 5 seventh hole and birdies on both 16 and 18 sandwiched in a bogey on 17. He also had a triple bogey six on the second hole during the first day and came back to record a 71.
Crouch had 16 pars in his round with two birdies and a bogey to remind on a shot out of the lead.
“This is one of the biggest tournaments I’ve ever played in so I’m very excited,” he said.
Former Trans Miss Champ Collin Morikawa is fourth at 68-138. Defending champion Will Zalatoris, bidding for his third win in four years, fired a second round 70, and is tied for 21st place at 143.