Julian Keur (65-66=131) is the top seed for match play
(CGA photo)

Keur, of Summerville, S.C., birdied holes 6 and 7 to play his opening nine in two-under-par. On the par-5 10th, Keur chipped-in for eagle. "I told my dad [his caddy] before the shot, 'I feel like making this one'," the 21-year-old Keur recalled.

For the second day in a row, Keur birdied the difficult par-4 16th and par-3 17th, stuffing his approach on each hole to within three feet of the cup. An eagle attempt for 65 on the par-5 18th just missed dropping. Settling for a two-putt birdie to finish his round, Keur holds a five-stroke lead heading into the weekend. "After winning the South Carolina Amateur Match Play last month, I knew my game was there," said the rising senior at the University of Alabama Birmingham. "I guess it's finally showing."

18-year-old Ryan Marter of Columbia, S.C. improved from third to second place behind a three-under 69. Marter's game has peaked recently, teamed with Jack Parrott the duo won the Carolinas Four-Ball in May. Last week, Marter took medalist honors at his U.S. Amateur qualifier. "My game is probably the best it's ever been," said Marter, who will attend Wofford College in the fall. "I am putting the ball great."

After each of the two bogeys Marter made Friday, he rebounded with a birdie. "I feel like my mental game is one of my strong suits, I don't let too much get to me." Marter was the recipient of the CGA's David Parrott in 2016. The award is given annually to the Carolinas-Virginias Junior Team member who displays excellence in sportsmanship, ability, and academic excellence.

Eric Edwards of Salisbury, N.C. is in third. Edwards, a rising senior at George Mason University, carded rounds of 68-69 for a two-day total of seven-under 137. A trio of golfers are tied for fourth at four-under. A rising junior at Furman University, Connor Bruns of Duncan, S.C. used a second round 67 to climb the leaderboard. Posting 72-68, both Parker Dudley of Johns Island, S.C. and Andrew Orischak of Hilton Head Island, S.C. are also at 140 after two rounds. Dudley works outside operations at The Golf Club at Briar's Creek. Orischak, the 2015 U.S. Junior Amateur runner-up is a rising sophomore at the University of Virginia.

The 36-hole cut fell at six-over-par 150. 61 players advanced to play the final 36 holes over the weekend. Third round play will begin at 7:30 a.m. from both the 1st and 10th tees. The lead group of Keur, Marter, and Edwards will start at 9:20 a.m.

Capers Cup Results

The Frank F. Capers Cup Team Competition is held during rounds one and two of the Carolinas Amateur Championship that dates back to 1913. Three or four bona fide members from the same club comprise a team. The low three scores count each round. Six teams from across the Carolinas comprised the field this year.

The team from the host club of The Golf Club at Briar's Creek won this year's event with a two-day total of 440 (eight-over-par). Winning team members are Riley Boyette, Parker Dudley, and Thomas Ellenburg.