Crown Point’s Nicholas Grubnich posted another 3-under-par,
69 today during the second round of the 114th Indiana Amateur
Championship at Purgatory GC. He adds
today’s round to his 3-under-par finish yesterday for a two day total of
6-under-par, 138 and a three shot lead heading into day three of Indiana’s most
prestigious amateur event.
“I hit the ball really nicely again today,” said Grubnich, a
rising senior at Indiana University. “I
hit a lot of fairways and greens and continued to give myself birdie
chances. I was fortunate that a few of
them fell.”
Fort Wayne’s Johnny Strawser trails Grubnich by three after posting
a 3-under-par 69 this afternoon.
“I am happy that I put myself in contention heading into tomorrow,”
Strawser said. “I gave myself a lot of
birdie chances today and I hope to continue to give myself chances tomorrow.”
Evansville’s David Mills is also just three shots out of the
lead after firing 71, 70 for a two day total of 141.
“I hit my irons well and made the turn at 3-under-par this
afternoon,” Mills said. “I am happy with
where I stand. It’s always a good
feeling to be in contention.”
Mills’ best finish in the State Am came in 2012 at Prairie
View GC where he finished fifth.
Johnny Watts of Fishers, Ind. posted another solid round
today and also finds himself just three shots out of the lead.
“I played consistently again today,” said Watts, a
soon-to-be freshman at Ball State University.
“I expected to play well this week since I am familiar with the course
and I am happy with the position I am in.”
Madison’s Justin Tereshko, Greenwood’s Sean Rowen, and
Andrew Varner of Gas City, Ind. are currently tied for fifth at 2-under-par. Rowen looks for his second IGA win this
season, with his first coming last month at the Tournament of Champions.
Grubnich heads into tomorrow’s round with a bit of a cushion,
but the leaderboard remains crowded just a few shots back.
“I am in the best position I could have hoped for,” Grubnich
said. “I plan on having the same mindset
tomorrow that I had the first two days and continue to play consistently. I still have a long way to go, but a win at
this event would definitely mean a lot to me.”
After today, the field was cut to the low sixty players and
ties at 153, 9-over-par.