Fadhli Soetarso of Lexington, KY fired a second round 71 for a 142 (-2) total and the overnight clubhouse lead at the weather-delayed Clark’s Pump-N-Shop Kentucky Amateur Championship. The 104th edition of the state’s premier amateur championship is being played June 19-21 at Hunting Creek Country Club in Prospect, Kentucky.

Play was suspended at 2:11 p.m. due to thunderstorms in the area. After a three hour delay, play resumed at 5:14 p.m. with eight groups still yet to begin their second round. At 9:00 p.m., play was suspended for the day with a total of 30 players still on the course. Those players will resume their second round tomorrow morning at 8:00 a.m. Round three will begin with an 11:00 a.m. shotgun start.

Soetarso, who opened with a round of one under-par 71, played steady golf in his second round, making three birdies and just two bogies to grab the clubhouse lead.

“Today was totally different compared to yesterday, I really had to grind it out for pars and really stay patient out there,” said Soetarso, who was able to post his second round score before the horn sounded for lightning. “In any golf tournament, you always end up on the good side or the bad side of the draw, and you just have to accept it….that’s just part of golf.”

Soetarso may have the overnight lead, but he is being closely chased by a handful of players who have yet to complete their second round. Matt Liston (Louisville) made the turn in 32 and is four under-par on his round after an opening 73. He is the current leader at four under-par with the front nine of his second round still to be completed. A trio of players made the turn at one under-par for the championship, including day one leader Joshua Rhodes (Paducah), Chandler Morgan (Lexington) and Joseph Deraney (Lexington).

Trailing Soetarso by a single stroke are Justin Tereshko of Lexington, KY and Allen Hamilton of Louisville, KY, both of whom are in the clubhouse at one under-par 143. Hamilton carded the low round of the day with a four under-par 68 to finish his second round at 142 (-2). After opening with a first round of 75 (+3), Hamilton began his second round by making four birdies in his first eight holes to making the turn in just 32 strokes. A pair of birdies matched with bogies gave him the clubhouse lead before Soetarso would complete his second round.

“It was definitely better than yesterday and I did a better job of hitting fairways,” said Hamilton. “It was just a solid round and I only had a couple of bogies. After yesterday, I changed my game plan and I tried to focus on hitting fairways and the middle of the green today. I feel like I still didn’t get the most of my round today so I’m excited for tomorrow.”

Tereshko, who was one of the afternoon players that got caught in the weather delay, was able to handle the adversity with ease, shooting 35 on his closing nine for a one under-par round of 71.

Although the winds were calmer for the second round, Hunting Creek Country Club has proved a formidable challenge for the state’s top amateur golfers. As the leaders make their way to the final nine in search of capturing the title, holes 12, 13, 15 and 18 have played among the most difficult on the course. At 453 yards, the finishing hole requires an accurate tee shot as trouble lines the fairway, and the eventual champion will need to find the fairway throughout the entire back nine as they look to hoist the Kentucky Amateur trophy.

Round two scores will be posted immediately upon completion, and live scoring will be available for the final round at kygolf.org.

Making “The Cut”

Following the conclusion of the second round on Thursday morning, the field of 156 players will be cut to the low 70 players, plus ties. Those players will advance to play the final round on Thursday afternoon. With just 30 players left on the course, the current cut line is at 157 (+13).

Strong Showing for Defending Champions

Andy Roberts (2016 Champion), Tom Campbell (2014 Champion), and Buddy Bryant (1996 and 1998 Champion) are all in contention heading into Thursday. Campbell’s consistent play with a pair of 73’s has him in a tie for ninth place and just four strokes behind the overnight lead. Roberts is tied for 31st place at 151 (+7) and Bryant is tied for 39th at 152 (+8).

Hole-in-One!

Congratulations to Jared Southerland of Danville, KY who made a hole-in-one on hole #7, a 211 yard par-3. He backed up his ace with a birdie on the difficult par-4 8th hole. Right now, Southerland’s ace appears to have catapulted him inside the cut line, as he sits at 157 (+13).

About the Kentucky Golf Association

The Kentucky Golf Association (KGA) is recognized by the USGA as the governing body for amateur golf in the Commonwealth.  Founded in 1911, the KGA is a full service golf association comprised of over 180 member golf courses.  The KGA is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors made up of representatives from course across Kentucky. The KGA serves and fulfills many roles for golf in Kentucky.  The KGA is a founding member of Golf House Kentucky, the umbrella organization that manages Kentucky’s Family of Golf Organizations.