Jordan Hahn (University of Wisconsin photo)

Hahn, a rising senior at the University of Wisconsin, started the day one shot behind first-round leaders George Markham (Phoenix, AZ) and Sam Dickey (Las Vegas, NV), but started fast, making three birdies in his first four holes. He made the turn at 4 under to get to 8 under for the tournament, and though he lost a shot on the back nine he still posted a 67 and holds the lead by one shot.

“I made a whole bunch of putts early in the round,” Hahn said, “which provided me with a great deal of confidence as the round wore on. I made one huge mistake on the fourth hole when I didn’t commit to my target because of the wind which led to a double bogie. But other than that, I played a very solid round of golf.”

Auburn University sophomore Wells Padgett (Wichita, KS) and University of Arizona rising sophomore Trevor Werbylo sit one back of Hahn at 6 under. Werbylo put together the round of the day, a 5-under 65.

Padgett shot a workmanlike 2-under 68. “I played defense most of the day because of the wind,” he said, “but I am happy with the result.”

As was the case after the first round, the tournament is wide open with many players in contention. Seven players are within two shots of the lead, with a formidable group of four players two shots back. They include both round one leaders Markham and Dickey, who shot 70 on Thursday, as well as the defending champion Jino Sohn (68) of Honolulu, HI and Ryoto Furuya (66) of Tampa, FL.

In all, 18 players are in red figures at the halfway point of the tournament.