KANNAPOLIS — Area golfers Todd Johnson and Jeff Lankford were in contention heading into this morning’s second round of the Adelphia North Carolina Open golf tourney.
Johnson, an amateur from China Grove, and Lankford, a pro from Mocksville, shot 3-under-par 69s at the Kannapolis Country Club, putting them within four strokes of first-round leader Steve Isley of Oak Island.
Isley was two strokes ahead of the field with a 33-32—65 round that included eight birdies — four of them in a row on the back nine, which he played first.
Kent Stauffer of Charlotte held second place with a 34-33—67.
Tied for third with 68s were 18-year-old amateur Russell Killough of Mint Hill, Brian Wilkins of Charlotte and Andrew Nelson of Greensboro.
Southern Pines’ Kelly Mitchum and Wilmington’s Bob Boyd were tied for sixth at 69 with Johnson and Lankford.
Johnson, one of the owners of Warrior Golf Club, used to be a Kannapolis member and admitted it gave him a slight edge.
“I’ve been a member here since 1979 until last year. I’ve played it a bunch of times,” said the 38-year-old Johnson.
“The places I tried to use local knowledge, it didn’t help me. I felt like I hit it where I needed to hit it and it just seemed like the greens were a little firmer than we were used to them being. But, yes, it’s an advantage,” he added.
Playing against a field loaded with club and teaching pros, Johnson is holding his own after the first of three rounds.
“I felt like, to have any chance, you need to shoot 3-under every round.If I do that, that will be fine. I could live with that,” he said.
Johnson shook off an early bogey when he hit his second shot in a water hazard on No. 3. He made birdies at Nos. 5, 6, 12 and 17.
Lankford had a round that included four birdies (Nos. 3, 5, 6 and 11) and one bogey on the 16th.
“I probably had one of my better ball-striking rounds I’ve had in one of these things in awhile,” said the former Davie County High School and N.C. State University golfer.
“Sixth-nine is a good opening score, but I’m kind of disappointed that it wasn’t lower,” he said.
Lankford, who won the tournament in 1993, referred to a missed three-foot birdie putt on No. 4, another missed short birdie try on the 12th, then a three-putt green on the par-5 15th after reaching the green in two shots.
“With a good putting round, I could have been three or four better easily,” he said.
However, he was satisfied with his position going into this morning’s second round.
“You can’t win it in the first round, but you can definitely get yourself in position where you can win. I’m in good shape. I’m pleased with it,” he said.
The low 60 pros plus amateurs will make today’s 36-hole cut and play in the final round on Thursday morning.
The pros are playing for a purse estimated at $52,000 with $6,000 going to the winner. Amateurs can receive gift certificates.
Today's News
