TEXARKANA -- There is hot weather and hot golfers at the 98th annual ASGA Stroke Play Championships at Texarkana Country Club.
Temperatures pushed 100 degrees during the second round Friday when a couple of 21-year-old college golfers caught fire to share the lead at 6-under-par 138. Penn State golfer Jens Talbert of Little Rock shot 31 on the back nine on his way to a 4-under 68, which was the best round of the day, while Arkansas State's Seth Garner posted his second consecutive 69 to tie for the lead.
First-round leader Chuck Gardner of Texarkana hit every green but struggled with his putter en route to a 73 and a 139 total, while Chris Jenkins rallied with birdies at Nos. 16 and 17 to claim a share of fourth place with Nickolas Zimmerman at 142. There is a three-way tie for fifth at 143, which includes two-time defending champion Wes McNulty, who shot 70 in the sweltering weather. Hope's Blake Santifer and Little Rock's Ben Sanders are also at 143.
Talbert was two shots off the lead when he took two steps backward with a double-bogey at the par-3 sixth hole. His late charge was ignited by a birdie at the par-4 10th, followed by birdies on Nos. 12, 15, 17 and 18.
"Today was good. I only had that one bad hole," Talbert said. "I just got hot on the back, which is somewhat surprising considering I haven't been playing much this summer. I've been relaxing and trying to get re-energized."
Talbert said he was looking to play golf at college close to home after he graduated from Little Rock Christian. He said Oklahoma, Memphis and South Alabama were all interested but wanted to see him play a few more rounds.
"I had a shoulder injury my senior year, and I couldn't play for those colleges because of the injury," Talbert said. "Penn State had seen me play as a sophomore and my high school coach knew some alumni at Penn State.
"I love the school and atmosphere, which has recovered nicely from the Joe Paterno controversy."
Garner started fast with birdies at the third and fourth holes before a hiccup at the par-5 seventh hole. Birdies at the par-5 12th and par-4 14th resulted in his 3-under effort.
Gardner admitted to being a bit tentative in the second round.
"At times I felt like I was trying to protect my lead," he said. "I found myself putting 30-35 feet on some holes, and consequently I had three three-putts today. When you quit being aggressive and start protecting, that's what happens.
"I hit every green today, so my ball-striking is very good. I could go around this course for a month and only have one three-putt, but when they put the word 'tournament' in front of it something happens."
Talbert and Garner are hoping their youth will be an advantage.
"I'm driving the ball long and straight," Talbert said. "I've got to make a lot of birdies, because I know the guys behind me are going to make birdies. Hopefully, we're a little bit more used to the heat."
Sports on 07/12/2014