Three tied atop leaderboard at Fayette County Open
Mike Revak watches his ball head for the pin after coming out of the sand at Duck Hollow Golf Course Friday during the second round of the Fayette County Open.
Harison Laskey (right) putts as he and fellow golfer George Knapp are reflected in the lake at Duck Hollow Golf Course during the Fayette County Open Friday afternoon.
Friday was “moving day” in the Fayette County Open at Duck Hollow Golf Club with first-round leader Pete Dzambo III moving back to the field, while several others pushed forward during second-round action.
Dzambo’s problems on the second-to-last hole led to a round of 4-over 76, while former champion Mike Revak and Santino Marchitello had the only sub-par rounds to close the gap heading into Saturday’s third round at Uniontown Country Club.
Defending champion Jeremy Enslen and first-year player Cam Booth matched rounds again with a 1-over 73, pulling into a tie with Dzambo atop the leaderboard with 1-under 142.
Dzambo wasn’t able to match the ball striking he had in the opening round at Pleasant Valley Country Club, but managed to stay afloat until No. 17.
“I had a triple bogey on No. 17. I hit into a hazard on No. 18 and took a penalty shot,” explained Dzambo, who had five birdies in his round. “I didn’t hit the ball well. I was grinding it out (until the last two holes).”
Enslen said he “just played solid,” wanting to not play his way out of a third-straight title.
“I didn’t want to shoot an 80 and play my way out of it,” said Enslen, who finished with three birdies. “The ball bounces wayward and you could shoot a big number. You have a sand wedge in your hand and the ball doesn’t check, it makes you make the adjustment.
“A 73 keeps me in it.”
Booth played his way into the final group with a 1-over 73.
“I never got it going. I had 16 pars. I just played solid golf,” said Booth. “The course was firm, but fair. I’m still there.”
Booth was also a fan of the tournament, adding, “I got to watch some great golf today. Justin Goletz had the greatest par ever on No. 8.”
Revak’s 3-under 69 and Marchitello’s 2-under 70 pulled the golfers into a three-way tie into fourth place with Seth Rockwell, who finished with a 3-over, at 2-over 145.
DIVOTS: The seniors open their two-round tournament today at 10 a.m. … The first group of the Open championship tees off at 11:02 a.m.