Despite a 75 today at Otter Creek to add to 70-67 for a 212 total, Tyler Duncan retained a 2-shot lead at the Indiana Amateur over Tony Lazzara at 68-72-74=214. “It’s tough to have a solid round if you don’t make birdies,” said Duncan, who didn’t card a single birdie on the day. In fact, only two players were able to break par at all Wednesday – Adam Schenk who sits tied in 4th and Andrew Wegeng at T15th. Duncan’s putting hindered his ability to break par. “I just didn’t make too many putts today,” he explained. The trouble began with a three-putt at the 3rd hole and continued at the 6th when he missed a 2-foot putt to save par.
Lazzara was able to make a few putts to save par and make a couple birdies, despite feeling that the pins were tough today. “It played tougher today – the tees moved back combined with the wind and tough pins,” said Lazzara. But he made an up-and-down to start the round with a birdie, and followed it up with another at the 5th by sticking his wedge to six feet and converting the putt.
Although both players remained in the lead all day long as well as the only two competitors consistently under par, they both were determined to stick to their own game and play the course, not each other. “I was just trying to take it one shot at a time out there,” said Lazzara. Duncan said, “I was trying to stick to my routine and stay relaxed. When the pressure is on that is what you have to do. I was thinking fairway, green, fairway, green.”
Both players have something significant to play for tomorrow, in addition to the prestigious honor of winning the toughest amateur competition in Indiana. Lazzara is vying for his first tournament win, and Duncan is fighting to put Columbus back on the champions list. Garry Biddinger was the last Columbus resident to win the State Amateur, in 1972.
Trying to stop either one from the accomplishment are Corey Ziedonis in third with 216, and Adam Schenk and Aaron Monson tied in 4th with 217.
See complete standings here.