Wheeler builds three-shot lead in Tennessee Mid-Am debut

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (Oct. 5, 2018) – Josh Wheeler got to double digits under par Friday at the Tennessee Mid-Amateur, and managed to take a three-shot lead. Wheeler, who plays out of Oak Ridge Country Club, followed up his opening 67 at Black Creek Club with a second-round 66. He is 11 under for the week.

Wheeler, a Maryville, Tenn., native who played college golf for Tennessee Wesleyan, had two eagles in his opening round – on both of the par 5s on Black Creek’s back nine. He had an eagle on the par-5 fourth on Friday.

“I’ve been putting it pretty good,” Wheeler said of his low scores. Wheeler had only played Black Creek a handful of times, but is navigating the course effectively.

Since moving on from college golf, Wheeler dabbled in professional life and was reinstated over the summer. This is the first time he has played the Mid-Amateur, and he calls it his first major start since returning to amateur golf.

Maryville native and former @twbulldogs golfer Josh Wheeler (@jwheelz1991) will head into the final round of the #TennMidAm with a three-stroke lead.

Josh has went 67-66 to currently sit at -11 for the championship. Listen to a few comments 👇🏼 pic.twitter.com/nqh7VQHuTS

— Tennessee Golf Association (@tngolf) October 5, 2018

Terry Ryan trails Wheeler by three shots after back-to-back rounds of 68. Tim Jackson also made moves up the leaderboard, following his opening 68 with a second-round 69. Jackson, a Tennessee golf legend, has won this event six times.

A crowd at 6 under, five shots off the lead, includes Ben Glover, Ryan Greer, Lucas Armstrong, Winston Brown and Ryan McCann. Armstrong has the distinction of shooting the low round in Friday’s competition. His 8-under 64 included eight birdies, one eagle and two bogeys.