Around the Green

Ryan Johnson Grabs Lead at North Amateur After Second Round

Southlake, TX – Ryan Johnson grabbed the lead at the North Amateur from first round leader, Devin Jackson after shooting a two-under-par 70 on Saturday at Timarron Country Club. First round leader, Devin Jackson sits in solo second, one stroke behind Johnson after carding an even round for round two.

Johnson, of Trophy Club, carded his second consecutive under par round at the North Amateur on Saturday and will head into the final round leading a crowded leaderboard by one stroke. Starting his second round off the 10^th hole, Johnson tallied his first birdie on the par five 15^th measuring 548 yards. The 13^th has played as the easiest hole on the golf course this week at Timarron Country Club with a two-day average of 4.75.

After turning on to the front nine (his inward nine) with a one-under-par 35, Johnson carded two more birdies on the first and sixth holes before bogeying his final hole for the day, the treacherous par four  ninth. Measuring at only 390 yards, the par four ninth has played the toughest for the first and second rounds due to the green complex and risky hazard covering the entire right side and front of the green.

What may be the biggest highlight of Johnson’s week so far isn’t that he is currently the North Amateur after 36 holes, but rather that he has birdied every par five, both days. With this stat, it is no wonder Johnson leads the North Amateur. He will hope to continue this impressive stat going into tomorrow’s action packed day. Nine players currently sit within five shots of Johnson.

Devin Jackson finds himself sitting in solo second place, one stroke behind leader Ryan Johnson as he prepares for the final round of North Amateur on Sunday. Jackson’s day started off right where he left it on Friday as he carded three lone birdies on the front and turned in three-under-par 33. However, after hitting his tee shot out of bounds on the 12^th, Johnson surrendered his lead carding his second double bogey of the nine on the short par four, 15^th. He managed to finish the day on a high note after birdieing the 18^th.

Players were graced another gorgeous day at Timarron Country Club for “moving day” as players looked to position themselves for Sunday’s final round. With the wind speeds making a presence in the latter parts of the morning and into the afternoon, the scoring average rose to 77.6. Players teeing it up early had an advantage but 13 players carded a red figure during their second round at the North Amateur.

Max Kettler was one of those players that teed off late in the morning and had to battle much of the wind, mostly on his inward nine. Kettler posted a very respectable one-under-par 71 to obtain solo third and a position in the final grouping for the final round. Kettler tallied four birdies and three bogeys.

As this week is the last opportunity to gain North Regional Player of the Year points, Joshua Irving and Will Osborne will battle it out for the title as they tee off at 9:48am off #1 tee. Irving currently sits 100 points behind Osborne for the title. 1000 Regional Player of the Year points are awarded for the overall champion. Also in the field and in contention for the Regional Player of the Year award is the current North Mid-Amateur champion, Gant Bills. Bills managed to come from behind during the final round of the North Mid-Amateur at Tierra Verde Golf Club to defeat both Irving and Osborne.  Bills trails Osborne by 137.5 points and can make a move with another impressive finish.

Timarron Country Club played to 7,005 yards for the second round of the North Amateur.

Tee times for the final round of the North Amateur will begin at 8:00am off #1 and #10 tees. Jackson and Kettler will try and catch Johnson as they tee off at 9:57am off #1 tee. For complete results, click here.