Choate and Bryant Tied at the Top After Round 2 of the 35th Metropolitan Amateur
Westwood, MO - It was another beautiful day at Westwood Country Club for the 35th Metropolitan Amateur Championship. Sunny skies and temperatures in the upper 70s to low 80s provided a comfortable day for golf. All players returned for Round 2 with the morning and afternoon waves switching start times from the first round. Coming into the second round, Justin Bryant led at six-under (-6) par, followed by Corey Choate, David Strickland, and Chris Kovach at four-under (-4) par.
Justin Bryant of St. Louis Country Club was grinding all day to keep his name on top. In a tougher round of golf, Bryant minimized the damage and posted a Round 2 score of one-over par. This brought Bryant to a total of five-under (-5) par to remain the leader in the clubhouse from the morning group. Bubba Chapman of Bellerive Country Club started the day three back. Starting on Hole 10, Chapman shot a bogey-free second nine today for a round of even par and to sit just behind the lead at three-under (-3) par. David Strickland of Tapawingo National Golf Club began the day four-under. It was an up-and-down round for Strickland leaving him to finish the day with a total of one-under (-1) par. Chris Kovach of Old Hickory Golf Club finished the second round with a total of even (E) par.
After the morning wave’s scores proved that the conditions were tough, the afternoon wave of golfers knew they would have to turn on the heat. Corey Choate of The Legends Country Club came in as the only player to shoot back-to-back rounds under par. Choate ended his first nine holes even par after two bogeys in three holes set him back, but he turned things around on the back to shoot a bogey-free final nine. Choate chipped in for birdie on the final hole to move up to five-under (-5) par and tie the lead with Bryant. Brad Carpenter of Franklin County Country Club entered today at two-under par. A bogey-free front nine helped Carpenter stay where he was to finish with a total of two-under (-2) par. Thomas Wuennenberg of Tapawingo National Golf Club bettered his first round score by one stroke today to get to one-under (-1) par.
Following the second round, the field was cut to the low 40 players and ties. Forty-two players made the cut, which was made at seven-over (+7) par. Going into the final round, Justin Bryant and Corey Choate are tied at the top at five-under (-5) par. Bubba Chapman is in solo third at three-under (-3) par, and Brad Carpenter is in solo fourth at two-under (-2) par. David Strickland and Thomas Wuennenberg round out the top five at one-under (-1) par. The top ten includes Chris Kovach, Drew Pranger, Conner McCall, and Kevin Jeske at even (E) par. Tomorrow, the remaining players will be paired off beginning at 7:00am for the Final Round.