ATHENS, Ga. ' Brendon Todd, a four-year golf star at the nearby University of Georgia, shot his second consecutive 4-under 68 on Friday to take the second-round lead at the Athens Regional Foundation Classic.
A Nationwide Tour rookie making only his second career start, Todd had five birdies and a bogey and was at 8-under 136 for a one-shot lead over three players.
Jennings Mill Country Club is very familiar to Todd, who is playing on a sponsor’s exemption this week.
‘I think having a game plan that you know is going to work on this golf course is the key because there are four or five holes out there you can play multiple ways,’ he said. ‘You’ve got to have the ability to step up on the tee and not worry about it. I’ve seen a bunch of guys making mistakes just by hitting the wrong clubs on the tees.’
Twenty-four players were separated by just five shots at the top of the leaderboard.
David Branshaw had a three-under 69 and shared second place with Michael Putnam (71) and Greg Owen (71) at seven-under 137. Putnam and Owen were part of a five-way tie for the first-round lead.
Bill Lunde was another shot further back at six-under 138.
Todd began his second round on the 10th tee and started to make a run with three straight birdies from the 12th. He added a birdie at the 18th to make the turn in just 32 shots.
Four consecutive pars gave way to Todd’s only bogey of the round at the par- four fifth, but he rebounded with his fifth birdie at the next hole.
Todd thought he could have gone even lower.
‘I had a lot of putts that I felt like I hit really well from inside 20 feet that didn’t go in,’ he said. ‘But then, I had this ridiculous 60-footer down a ridge (for birdie) and poured that one in. I don’t know how they’re going in, but they are.’
He didn’t think playing on a sponsor’s exemption affected how he played.
‘I know if I stay patient and stay calm and keep giving myself chances, and if I putt well, I’m going to contend,’ said Todd.
The cut line fell at even-par 144 with 63 players moving on to the weekend.
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