PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. — The wind stayed calm during the second round of the 108th Amateur, giving an early advantage to those on the East Course. But as the day progressed, the fight for a weekend spot intensified. By the end of the round, the leaderboard was crowded, setting the stage for a thrilling moving day.
What Happened?
After entering the day as co-leader, Derek Busby opened with poise, birdieing his first hole, and then answering a bogey with another birdie, then soaring up the leaderboard with an eagle on his 12th. At 7-under, Busby looked in control, but the East Course proved unforgiving on the back nine. He dropped three shots coming in, finishing with a 2-over 72 and a 4-under total for the championship.
Busby remained atop the leaderboard all day, but chaos unfolded below him. Fellow co-leader Santiago Navarro struggled to keep pace, falling victim to the demanding layout of the East Course. William Block faced a similar fate, tumbling out of red numbers after a string of bogeys.
One of the day’s biggest moves came from RJ Glod, who caught fire on the South Course’s back nine, tallying five birdies to jump 24 spots up the board.
Also making a charge was Arth Sinha, who held his own on the East Course (2-over, 74) with a 5-under round on the South. His effort earned him a share of second place heading into Saturday’s pivotal third round.
The round of the day belonged to Juan Yumar, who rebounded from an opening 77 with a 7-under 65. His front nine featured four birdies and an eagle, vaulting him back into contention.
The cut landed at 6-over and exactly 70 players remain in the field.
What's Next?
The field has been cut to 70 players. The final 36 holes will be played on the East Course. Tee times tomorrow, June 7th, will begin at 7:45 AM.
Notable
- Jake Sherwin had a double eagle on the 7th hole (his 16th hole), a 585 yard par 5.
- The 18th hole on the East Course played the most difficult, while the 8th hole on the South Course played the hardest.
- Only two players shot below 70 on the East Course, RJ Glod and Arth Sinha.
- In contrast, thirteen players shot below 70 on the South Course.
- Jake Sherwin carded two birdies, one eagle, and one albatross en route to a 4-under (68).
Quotable
"It was a really tough golf course today. I got out to a nice solid start, struck the ball well on the front nine. I struck it ok on the back, played the par 5's a couple over, which you don't really have any room around here to give up shots, so I need to clean that up and we'll be good to go for tomorrow." -- Derek Busby on his second round on the East Course
"I feel really good, I hit 12/14 fairways, and even when it got windy I still played well. For tomorrow, I'll try to have the same routine. Go to sleep early, rest well, and just do my best." -- Sebastiano Mascia on his mindest going into tomorrow
"It was my first ever double eagle. I was so pumped and the adrenaline was crazy. I just kept telling myself don't screw this up now." -- 2024 Mid-Amateur Champion, Jake Sherwin, on his double eagle on the 16th hole
