(MSGA Media Release)
GREAT FALLS– After two rounds of play, Billings’ Joey Moore extended his lead to six at the 102nd Montana State Amateur. Moore who is heading into his sophomore season at San Diego State put together a second consecutive bogey-free round at Great Falls’ Meadow Lark Country Club en route to 64 (-8). Moore began the day with birdies on holes two, three, five and eagled the ninth hole for an opening side of 31. On the back nine, Moore birdied the 11th, 13th and 14th to finish eight-under-par for the day and 14-under-par for the championship.
Defending champion, Ryggs Johnston, joined Moore with a second consecutive round in the 60s. Johnston who graduated this spring from Libby High School and is headed to Arizona State to play golf posted a 69 (-3). Johnston made eight birdies during the round, opening with 32 on the front. Double bogeys on holes 10 and 18 resulted in a closing nine of 37 for his 69.
Liam Clancy of Laurel and Colton Hudson of Billings are tied for third overall at 143 (-1). Clancy shot an even-par 72 and Hudson was one-under 71 for his second round. Hamilton’s Payton Taylor posted 73 and is even par for the championship at 144 and alone in fifth. Laurel’s Garrett Woodin and Payton Stott are tied for sixth at 145 after they shot 73 and 72 respectively. Two Helena players, Brady Kirkeby and Spencer Williams are tied for eighth as they shot 74 and 72 for their second rounds and sit at 146 for the tournament. Rounding out the top ten is Missoula’s Bill Dunn, the 2009 State Amateur Champion. Dunn shot a one-under round of 71, highlighted by his hole-in-one on the par-three 16th, which was playing at 191 yards. Dunn is at 147 for the tournament.
The annual Barnett Cup, which is awarded to the two low scorers from the same golf club through two rounds was claimed by Cabinet View Golf Club’s Ryggs Johnston and Jonny Cielak who posted a combined 287 (-1).
