BOGART, Ga. ' Patrick Sheehan posted a 3-under 69 on Friday to take sole possession of the second-round lead of the Athens Regional Foundation Classic.
Sheehan, who shared the first-round lead on Thursday, finished 36 holes at 9-under 135 and is two shots ahead of Bob Burns, who fired a 63 on Friday, at Jennings Mill Country Club.
Doug LaBelle II (70), Michael Sims (69), Paul Gow (69) and Skip Kendall (70) share third at minus-6.
Sheehan began on the 10th tee in Friday’s second round and made the turn with nine consecutive pars. At the first, Sheehan made par, then turned it on after that.
He eagled the par-5 second and birdied the third to get to 9 under par for the championship.
That was all Sheehan needed for the lead at the midway point. He parred his last nine holes to gate in safely with a relatively easy 69.
‘I played well again, needed a few more putts today,’ said Sheehan, who has non-exempt status this year on the PGA Tour, but will play the Nationwide Tour when it works in his schedule. ‘Whenever you’re in contention you’re doing something right.’
Sheehan has missed only three fairways through two rounds and that is important this week. Rain earlier in the week has left the course wet and play is under lift, clean and place rules.
‘Soft course conditions help because the ball doesn’t run through the fairway,’ explained Sheehan. ‘Course is playing ridiculously long because of moisture and cold air. It’s interesting because it really makes you use every club in your bag.’
Overnight co-leader Rich Barcelo (73), Tjaart van der Walt (69), Kyle Reifers (67), money leader Michael Sim (71), Darron Stiles (68), Blake Adams (66) and Brendon Todd (71) are tied for seventh at 5-under 139.
Todd made Nationwide Tour history on Friday. He aced the 17th hole for the second consecutive round and became the first player in tour history to ace the same hole twice in the same tournament.
Todd used a 7-iron on Thursday and an 8-iron on Friday.
‘It’s still hard to believe,’ said Todd. ‘It was a stroke of good luck, twice in a row. I guess it’s like catching lightning in a bottle. It’s just pure disbelief.’
The final first-round co-leader, Kevin Kisner, a sponsor’s exemption from the University of Georgia, struggled to a 3-over 75 on Friday. He fell into a tie for 21st at minus-3.
The 36-hole cut fell at even-par 144. Alex Prugh, Vance Veazey, Alistair Presnell and Steven Alker, all in the top five on the money list, missed qualifying for weekend play.
Robert Damron, last year’s winner, missed the cut badly at 9-over 153.
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