On another blistering hot and humid day in Vero Beach, it is Fred Biondi and Tyler Wilkes who out lasted the competition to sit at the top spot on the leaderboard at the 63rd Boys' Junior Championship. Proving to be a test of each player's ability, Bent Pine Golf Club and Orchid Island Golf Club once again played difficult for the players. The 63rd Boys' Junior Championship features 168 of the state's top junior male golfers as they compete in their respective divisions with hopes of winning the coveted title of the 2017 Boys' Junior Amateur Champion. With the opening 36 holes completed, the field was cut to the low 50 and ties in the 16-18 division and low 20 and ties in the 13-15 division. Those making the cut will play tomorrow morning at Bent Pine Golf Club for the final round of the championship. 
After the first round yesterday, Alexander Vogelsong and Tyler Wilkes held the lead in their respective divisions, however, this morning it was Fred Biondi who stole the show to propel himself up the leaderboard to the top spot. Playing Orchid Island yesterday, Fred Biondi shot an even-par 72 with two birdies and two bogeys. The defending Boys' Junior champion in the 13-15 age division came to Bent Pine today hoping to make a charge towards the top spot. "Today I came with a completely different mindset," Biondi said. "It was a 'who cares' mindset to just go out there and do what you like to do...play golf." Biondi's new attitude helped him as he opened his round with a birdie on the first hole. After making two consecutive pars, Biondi carded his second birdie of the day at the fifth hole. Finishing the front nine strong with a birdie on eight then an impressive birdie on the ninth, Biondi made the turn at 32, four-under par. Yet Biondi wasn't done just yet. With the goal of being a back-to-back champion and getting his name engraved on both the 13-15 and 16-18 trophies, Biondi hit solid shots, leaving him with easier birdie putts. After rolling a putt in on the 12th hole for birdie, Biondi continued his solid play by making birdies at the 14th and 15th holes to move to seven-under par for the round and tournament. Finishing up with a birdie at the last, Fred would sign his scorecard for an eight-under par round of 64, good enough to claim the top spot on the leaderboard after the second round. Biondi will take this momentum to the final round where he will be paired with Manuel Girona and Alexander Vogelsong with the goal of hoisting the Boys' Junior Amateur Championship trophy for the second time.
In the 13-15 age division, it was an easy-going day for overnight leader, Tyler Wilkes. After a commanding seven-under par, 65, at Bent Pine Golf Club round one, Wilkes took a drive down to A1A to play Orchid Island this morning. With a four-shot lead overnight, Tyler needed only to play consistent golf to remain at the top. Doing just that, Wilkes opened his round with nine consecutive pars to make the turn at even-par for the day, yet seven-under for the championship. After draining a birdie put on the par-four tenth hole to break the par streak, Wilkes went on to par the eleventh but drop a shot after an uncharacteristic bogey on the 12th hole. Keeping consistent, however, Wilkes parred his remaining six holes to finish the round with an even-par, 72. Brett Roberts and Luke Clanton made up some ground on Wilkes during the second round as they shot 68 and 69, respectively. Both sit at five-under par and two back of Wilkes heading into the final round. All three will be paired tomorrow as Wilkes attempts to go wire-to-wire to win his first Boys' Junior Amateur Championship.
The shot of the day today came from James Tureskis of Naples. Playing Orchid Island this morning, James aced the par-three 12th hole after landing his ball one foot behind the pin and spinning it just perfectly. His ace is the only ace of the championship so far.
Tomorrow marks the final day of competition at the 2017 Boys' Junior Amateur Championship. Tee times will, yet again, begin at 7:30 A.M. off the first and tenth tees. All players making the cut will play Bent Pine Golf Club tomorrow. Spectators and media are highly encouraged to attend and guaranteed a very exciting finish from both divisions.
In all, 38 players shot even or under par this morning at either Bent Pine Golf Club or Orchid Island, proving that, truly, Saturday's are for the boys.
