Bare Grabs Lead with 10-under-par 61

China Grove, NC- Reigning Sapona Open Champion Andy Bare fired a 10-under-par 61 in the second round of the Tarheel Tour’s Warrior Classic to grab a one shot lead over 2007 Southern Open Champion Shaun Norris heading into Thursday’s final round at Warrior Golf Club in China Grove.

Bare began his second round in a share of ninth place after an opening 6-under-par 65 but quickly made up ground going out in 6-under-par 30 on Warrior’s back nine. After an eagle on number one (his tenth) and birdies on two, four, and five, Bare reached 11-under-par for the day through 14 holes. With a remarkable 59 just one birdie and three pars away, the Jacksonville, FL resident could only manage three pars and a bogey and had to settle for a tournament low 61.

First round co-leader and 2007 Africa Open Champion Shaun Norris backed up his opening 63 with a 7-under-par 64 to remain within one shot of Bare at 15-under. Among those in a share of third place at 13-under is 2004 U.S. Amateur runner-up Luke List. The former Vanderbilt All-American backed up a solid 4-under-par 67 with a 9-under-par 62 to move to 13-under for the tournament. List polished off his round with an eagle-two at the par-four ninth after driving the green and holing a short putt. Former ACC Individual Champion Hank Kim and two-time Tarheel Tour winner Jeff Curl each backed up a 7-under-par 64 with a 6-under-par 65 to join the party at 13-under. Completing the quartet at 13-under is first round co-leader Gregg Jones. The former Clemson University standout stayed within shouting distance with a 5-under-par 66.

2007 Cabarrus Classic Champion William McGirt made the biggest move in Wednesday’s second round. The former Wofford standout erased any possibility of missing his second consecutive cut after backing up a mediocre 1-under-par 70 with a blistering 10-under-par 61. McGirt, similar to Bare, had thoughts of 59 after back to back eagles at 18 and 1 moved him to 9-under-par for the day after just 10 holes. However, he could only manage to play the final eight holes in 1-under to shoot 61. McGirt’s round equaled the low round of the championship with Bare, and also got him back in the hunt at 11-under in a share of eighth place. Former Big Break contestant Matt Vick also broke from the middle of the pack firing an 8-under-par 63 to move to 9-under for the event.

Fifty-eight players survived the 36-hole cut which fell at a season low 4-under-par 138. The final round of the Warrior Classic begins at 7:30 a.m. on Thursday with the leaders teeing off the first hole at 8:51 a.m. The event is open to the public and free of charge.