Cantley Overtakes Pan for Southern Am Lead

Published July 16, 2010 at 1:17 a.m.

BIRMINGHAM, AL -- Patrick Cantlay, fresh from winning the California state high school title, took over the lead at the midpoint of the 104^th Southern Amateur at storied Shoal Creek Country Club. Cantley, headed for UCLA in the fall, shot 4-under-par 68 Thursday for a 135 total, one ahead of first round leader Cheng Tsung Pan of Taiwan and University of Virginia junior Ben Kohles.

A couple of the elites in this strong international field went low Thursday to pull into contention. Georgia’s Russell Henley, the world's top-ranked amateur, fired a 67 and local favorite Bud Cauley, an Alabama All-American from Jacksonville FL, rallied with a 64, low round of the tournament. Both are just three shots back in a group at 137.

Cantlay, 18, just out of Anaheim Servite High School, said he felt comfortable atop a field stuffed with amateur notables. “I just have to keep playing my game, hitting a lot of fairways and greens,” he said.

Pan, also just 18 and headed to University Washington, added a 70 to his opening 65, struggling at times to hit fairways.

Cauley hit 13 of 14 fairways, the key to a round that was off to a fast start with birdies on his first four holes. “I knew I had to play my way back (after his opening 73), so this feels good. The Southern is a huge tournament.” Henley had a wild day with an eagle (from two feet on a par five), six birdies and four bogeys.

Kohles, who won three collegiate events as a Virginia sophomore this year, birdied three of his final five holes and knocked in 30- and 40-foot putts for two of his birds.

The field was cut to the low 66 and ties for the final 36 holes. Reflecting the quality of the field, the cut was just 2 over, as 41 players are under par.

104^th Southern Amateur, 2^nd Round Leaders

Shoal Creek CC, Birmingham, Par 72, 7,211 yards.

Patrick Cantlay, Los Alamitos CA... 66-68—134

Cheng Tsung Pan, Miaoli Taiwan……… 65-70—135

Ben Kohles, Cary NC... 68-67—135

Russell Henley, Macon GA... 70-67—137

Bud Cauley, Jacksonville FL... 73-63—137

Alex Carpenter, Little Rock AR... 70-67—137

Chan Kim, Gilbert AZ... 69-68—137

Kieran Pratt, Torquay AUS... 71-66—137

Cameron Lawrence, Knoxville TN... 68-71—139

Will Griffin, San Antonio TX... 72-67—139