Bryan, 23, started hot on her opening nine, making three birdies, but "cooled off" on her back nine. "I hit three good shots and made those putts; my putter was hot," said Bryan. "On the back nine, my putter wasn't hot and I hit three bad shots. I am really expecting tomorrow to be better." Bryan's strategy heading into tomorrow, "Keep the putter hot the hole time, that would be key."
Bertram, a 22-year-old Gardner-Webb women's golf alum, felt she played well today, despite relinquishing her lead. "I think I hit it just as well as I did yesterday, I just didn't make as many putts," said Bertram after hitting 16 greens-in-regulation. "I just have to come out and play like I did yesterday, not that today was bad, stay calm and play my game."
Trailing Bryan and Bertram by one-shot are Kayla Thompson of Whiteville, N.C. and defending champion Ashley Sloup of Southport, N.C. Thompson, a member of the UNC-Wilmington women's golf team, started Saturday T10, but used three birdies and a 40-foot eagle putt on the par-5 eighth hole to climb up the leaderboard. "[My performance] was good," said Thompson. "I hit the driver really well and was in the fairway, so I had a chance to hit the flag, which was something that I had struggled with."
Tied for third, Thompson and Sloup posted one-over 145 after two rounds. The youngest competitor in the field, 13-year-old Katherine Schuster of Kill Devil Hills, N.C. is part of a five-player group two-shots back of the lead.
Patty Moore of Charlotte, N.C. continues to lead the Carolinas Division, finishing the day seven-over 151 to extend her lead to seven shots. Mona Jackson of Wilmington, N.C. and June Wang of Huntersville, N.C. are tied for second at 14-over 158.
Sunday's final round will begin with a 9:00am shotgun start. The lead group of Bertram, Bryan, Sloup, and Thompson will tee off from the first hole.