Rex Hospital Open – Round 2 notebook

Munoz maintains 36-hole lead with others close behind

Peter Koutroumpis, Triangle Sports Network

By Peter Koutroumpis

editor@trianglesportsnet.com

RALEIGH, N.C. – Sebastian Muñoz carried the 36-hole lead following second-round play at the Rex Hospital open at TPC Wakefield Plantation on Friday.

Carding a five-under-par 66, Munoz stands at 12-under overall, with many close behind including Joey Garber at 11-under, and Albin Choi, Michael Johnson, and Kevin Dougherty, all at 10-under.

“I feel like I’m driving the ball good,” Muñoz said.

“I feel like I’m putting really good and the irons are starting to kick in, giving me more chances than I’m used to, so that’s good.”

Round 3 – Tee times

A full day of sun and very receptive greens raised the cut line to 3-under as tremendous gains were seen by four of the five sitting at the top.

While Hank Lebioda fired a nine-under for low round of the day, sitting T22 at six-under overall, former N.C. State standout Choi’s seven-under finish, along with identical 65s from Garber, Johnson, and Dougherty paced the field accordingly.

“I got around the course pretty good, hit the right spots, and made some putts,” Choi said.

“The greens were really soft.”

Garber concurred.

“Finally my putter came through, and it seemed every time I got it on the green, I made it,” he added.

“There are some hard driving holes out there. Just put in play on those holes and keep doin’ what I’m doin’ on the rest of the course, and hopefully the putts will keep comin’.”

Leaderboard: Rex Hospital Open


Notables: Current standing of other players with local ties: Ben Kohles (T22, -6), Wes Roach (T32, -5)…Carter Jenkins missed the cut by one, finishing at -2 overall…Both amateurs in the field, Campbell’s Ray Kraivixien and Wake Forest’s Parker Gillam, both missed the cut in playing their first Rex Open. Kraivixien missed the cut by two at -1 while Gillam missed it with a +6 finish overall…The 83 players contending for the $117,000 first prize tee off on split tees in groups of three on No. 1 and No. 10 beginning at 8:30a.m.

Peter Koutroumpis: 401-323-8960, @pksport