Washington pro extends lead on Day 2 at PGA Professional Championship

BANDON, Ore. – Different day, different course and different score, but the overall result remained the same: First-round leader Austin Hurt remained atop the leaderboard after Day 2 of the PGA Professional Championship at Bandon Dunes Golf Resort.

Pacific Dunes at Bandon Dunes Golf Resort in Oregon ranks among the top handful of modern courses in the United States. (Courtesy of Bandon Dunes Golf Resort)

Hurt shot an even-par 71 Monday on the Pacific Dunes course at the popular resort to follow his opening 8-under 64 on the Bandon Dunes course, and his lead extended to three shots entering the final two rounds. The PGA of America professionals split the first two rounds between Bandon Dunes and Pacific Dunes, and play moves to Bandon Dunes alone for the final two rounds.

“I stuck with it pretty well,” said Hurt, head professional at Wing Point Golf & Country Club in Bainbridge Island, Washington. “I felt like it was a tough day for me out there. I think it's so wind-dependent and weather-dependent out here. It was challenging. The pins were challenging, the greens are slightly different. On top of just not feeling entirely confident over the putter, mixed with a few misreads.”

Hurt led by three shots over a threesome of players tied at 5-under total. Defending champion Tyler Collet (Vero Beach, Florida) shot 4-under 68 on Bandon Dunes, Jeff Kellen (Glenview, Illinois) shot 2-over 73 on Pacific Dunes and Charlie Beljan (Mesa, Arizona) had the low round of the day on Pacific Dunes with 6-under 65 to share second place after Monday’s second round. Eight players were tied for fifth another shot back at 4-under total.

The field of 312 players was cut after Monday’s second round to low 90 players and ties, with 94 eventually making it to the third round. There’s another cut after Tuesday’s round, with only the top 70 and ties advancing to Wednesday’s final round. The top 20 players after Wednesday qualify for the PGA Championship at Aronimink Golf Club on May 14-17 in Newton Square, Pennsylvania.

Bandon Dunes, the original course at the popular resort, opened in 1999 atop cliffs rising alongside the Pacific Ocean. Pacific Dunes followed in 2001, and both courses are ranked by Golfweek’s Best in the United States. They are among the five full-size 18s at Bandon Dunes Golf Resort.