First-round co-leader Joel Thelen lets fly a shot during second-round action Friday at Hunters Ridge. Thelen shot a 1-under-par 71 and is now tied for seventh. (Photo courtesy Draeger Photography)
Sometimes things change quickly, even when you weren’t thinking they would.
That happened Friday at the TrueNorth Greater Cedar Rapids Open, presented by UFG Insurance.
Over half the field shot under par at Hunters Ridge Golf Course in Marion and that made for some major changes to the leaderboard.
Brendon Doyle (Davenport, KY) shot a spectacular 10-under-par 62 and Korn Ferry Tour veteran KK Limbhasut posted a 7-under 65 as the two are tied for the lead heading into Saturday’s final round at 11-under.
However, this isn’t over yet. There are now 13 golfers within 5 shots of the lead, so it should be a real shootout Saturday in a quest for the $30,000 first prize.
In the 2020-2021 golf season, KK Limbhasut started 37 events on the Korn Ferry Tour, making the cut in over half (19). The now 26-year-old Bangkok, Thailand native earned himself almost $110,000. But an jury sidelined him early this year and he’s trying to work his way back.
“It has been a rough year with an injury that I had to deal with. I had to take March – May off from competitive golf to recover. After coming back from it, I wasn’t able to capitalize on the Korn Ferry starts that I had left.”
“I got off to a solid start with a birdie on the first two holes, then hit many solid iron shots throughout the day, giving myself a lot of 15-20 foot putts,” explained Limbhasut. “I was able to convert from those distances today, unlike the first round.”
Doyle, who finished T7 in 2019 at Hunters, was one off the competitive course record of 61. He had 10 birdies in the bogey-free round. Doyle, 27, turned pro in 2018 and had a decent first half of the season in the PGA Tour LatinoAmerica. He had a T12, T16 and T19.
First-round co-leader Danny Daniels is one shot back after posting a 4-under 68. Daniel Miernicki shot a 66 and is one further back. Carson Schaake (Omaha, NE) shot a rather mediocre even-par 72 in Thursday’s first round, but came roaring back Friday with a 7-under 65.
Defending champion Seth Fair was in danger of missing the cut but had five birdies on his last seven holes and posted a 2-under 70 to advance.
Final round play will begin at 8 a.m. Saturday of both the first and 10th holes. That was done to try to beat the possible severe weather which is forecasted. The trophy ceremony will go off around 2 p.m. weather-permitting.
Admission is free.
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