Roger Tambellini extends his lead to second round of Preferred Health Systems Wichita Open
Roger Tambellini, the overnight leader from the first round of Preferred Health Systems Wichita Open at Crestview Country Club at Wichita, Kansas, posted another superb five-under, 66 to further strengthened his lead at the $600,000 event.
Tambellini took over the best players on the Nationwide Tour, Mathew Goggin, Troy Kelly and Kyle Thompson to remain outright leader till the halfway mark of the tournament.
"It was a fun day and hopefully the weekend will be fun. When you are playing like this, you want to keep going," Tambellini said. "I wasn't really sure if I hit the cart path until I heard it click. I've never done anything like that before."
Even with his staggering 12-under, Tambellini barely managed to clear the strong field where the three top ranking players are tied for the second place, just one shot behind the leader. It turned out to be a high-scoring day with Goggin, Thompson, and Kelly
all posting rounds of seven-under each. Goggin, the top money leader on the Nationwide Tour, has shown splendid form and will continue to pose a serious threat to Tambellini’s lead in the following rounds.
"I'm playing well and its' great to be in this position," Goggin said. "I'll try to take advantage of the weekend and hopefully have a chance to win on Sunday."
The course was battered with heavy rains in the night, but the greens remained in splendid condition during the second round. A total of 65 players were able to qualify for the third round, following the halfway cut which was placed at two-under, 140, keeping
in view the low scoring two days. The scoring average on the second day turned out to be 71.135, and is the highest scoring average after the Crestview Country Club was changed to a par 71 in 2003.
Dustin Garza, the local player from Wichita, was disqualified on Friday on revelation that the player had actually signed someone else’s scorecard. Bryan Decorso was also disqualified for a Wrong-Ball penalty. John Riegger withdrew from the tournament due
to injury after completion of nine holes.
It would be interesting to see how Tambellini manages to keep the lead all to himself in the coming rounds especially when he is threatened with the fast approaching tour veterans. He has been able to grab the 36-hole lead thrice on the Nationwide Tour and
has went over to win twice of those events. He won 2003 Albertson's Boise Open and the Ford Wayne Gretzky Classic the same year.
This is also the first time in Preferred Health Systems Wichita Open that a single player has led both the opening rounds. The event boasts off a winner’s share of $108,000.
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