Bray shoots 67 on Kinston links
By Courtest eGolf Pro Tour
Published in Sports on September 18, 2009 1:46 PM
Courtesy
eGolf Pro Tour
KINSTON -- According to golf experts, and apparently there are plenty, nothing is harder than following up a career round the next day.
Dustin Bray, who opened the Walnut Creek Open with a course-record 11-under 60 on Wednesday, knew the task was somewhat challenging but not insurmountable Thursday at Kinston Country Club.
The former University of North Carolina star carded a 3-under 67, giving him a two-round total of 14-under 127 heading into this morning's final round at Walnut Creek Country Club.
"After a round when the hole looks so big, your biggest fear is to go out and feel like there is a cover over it," said Bray, who carded nine birdies and an eagle in his opening round. "That's why that first birdie on No. 11 was good. At least I didn't have to worry about that."
Goldsboro native Andy Crain survived the second-round cut and is tied for 19th overall at 5-under 136. Fellow hometown competitor Jonathan Greene missed the cut in his first-ever eGolf Professional Tour event on home soil.
Chris Rogers, who won the spring event at Walnut Creek, trails Bray by three strokes. David Robinson and Scott Brown share third place at 9-under. Richard Hanna, Andy Bare and Scott Hawley are tied at 8-under.
Bray, in his third eGolf Tour start of the season as a full-time Nationwide Tour player, began his round on the back nine at Kinston and quickly erased any fear of struggling to make birdies in round two. A birdie at the par-4 11th allowed him to pick up where he left off the day before.
While the early birdie eased some nerves, it did not set a trend. Bray coupled that birdie with a bogey on No. 15 to turn at even-par 34.
Kinston's front nine has been fairly fruitful so far this week, and it was for Bray as well with a trio of birdies on Nos. 3, 6 and 7 to get to 3-under on his round, where he would finish.
The adage about following up low rounds usually holds true, but Bray felt the move to Kinston for his second round alleviated any self-inflicted pressure that traditionally sets in with situations similar to his.
"I think it's a little easier when you're playing a different course the second day. You don't necessarily compare the rounds as much since it's a different look on each hole," said Bray.
The 36-hole cut fell at 1-under 140 with 70 players qualifying for today's final round at Walnut Creek Country Club. Play began at 8 this morning. The tournament is open to the public and admission is free.