US Maintains World Amateur Lead

RIO GRANDE, Puerto Rico -- Ryan Moore continued his fine play on Friday with a five-under 67 to put the United States eight shots clear of their closest competitors after the second round of the Men’s World Amateur Team Championship.

Moore teamed with Spencer Levin and Lee Williams to shoot an 8-under 136 on the Ocean Course at Rio Mar Country Club, giving them a two-day total of 20-under-par 268. Spain stands alone in second place at 12-under-par 276 followed by Sweden, Wales and Switzerland at 9-under-par 279.

Moore jumped out of the gate with a birdie at the par-4 first, but gave a shot back with a bogey at the very next hole. The 21-year-old, who won this year’s U.S. Amateur and U.S. Public Links Championship, recovered with a birdie at the par-5 fifth and kept plugging along with back-to-back birdies starting at the par-4 10th.

He picked up another birdie at the 15th and Moore capped off his round with a birdie at the par-4 18th.

‘Everybody’s score has counted,’ said Moore. ‘There are not A, B or C players in this group. Anybody can shoot 63, 64 or 65.’

Levin torched the front side of the Ocean Course with four birdies. He stumbled to back-to-back bogeys from the 11th, but countered with a birdie at the 15th for a round of 69. Williams, who carded a 67 in the opening round, managed only a 73 in round two.

Rafael Cabrera-Bello paced the Spaniards on Friday with a round of 68. Alfredo Garcia added a 71 and Alvaro Quiros’ round of 75 was dropped from the team total.

The Italian team stumbled with a 2-over 146 to finish 14 shots back at 6-under-par 282.

Australia, Germany and England share seventh place at 5-under-par 283.