Davis Bryant of Aurora, bidding to become the first boy to win at least two Junior Golf Alliance of Colorado major championships, put himself in position to do just that with a stellar round on Tuesday.
Bryant, who won the Colorado Junior PGA Championship last month, shot a bogey-free 7-under-par 65 at Legacy Ridge Golf Course in Westminster to grab a two-stroke lead with one round remaining in the Colorado Junior Amateur. The score was the best of the tournament by four strokes.
In the girls tournament, Arielle Keating of Colorado Springs, who placed fourth in the Colorado Junior PGA, took over the lead by firing a 2-over-par 74 on Tuesday.
Bryant (pictured), a two-time U.S. Junior Amateur qualifier, made seven birdies in Tuesday’s round, giving him a 6-under 138 total. The 17-year-old, who has verbally committed to play his college golf at Colorado State University beginning in 2018, birdied all four of the par-5s in round 2.
First-round leader Cole Krantz of Windsor will go into Wednesday’s final round in second place, two behind Bryant. The University of Colorado signee made four birdies, one bogey and a double bogey in a round of 71 on Tuesday.
Two state high school champions, Kyle Pearson of Highlands Ranch (5A) and Oliver Jack of Denver (3A), share third place at 143. Pearson carded a second-round 71 and Jack a 73.
In the girls competition, Keating was 3 under par through 13 holes for Tuesday’s round, but she played the last five in 5 over, taking a triple bogey on No. 17.
Still, the 16-year-old went ahead by two strokes with a 10-over-par 154 total. Julia Baroth of Denver sits in second place at 156 after posting a second-round 75 that included three birdies.
First-round leader Caroline Jordaan of Denver, winner of the North American Junior Amateur in January, is third at 158 after a second consecutive 79. Jordaan also made three birdies on Tuesday.
The girls leaders will tee off for Wednesday’s final round at 9:36 a.m., while the top boys will start at 9:45.
For scores, click on the following: BOYS, GIRLS.
