McCarthy Grabs Lead at 47th Veritex Bank Texas State Open, Round Two Suspended

NTPGA • August 2, 2017

DALLAS, Texas – Brax McCarthy of Fort Worth, fired a second straight 5-under 65 to take the lead during Wednesday’s second round of the 47th Veritex Bank Texas State Open. Weather, however, was a factor throughout the day. To begin the day, the morning wave starting times were delayed 15 minutes. Then, at 9:55 a.m., play was suspended when heavy rainfall rendered the course unplayable. The morning wave resumed play at 11:45 a.m., which delayed afternoon starting times two hours. Play was then suspended at 8:12 p.m. because of darkness. Round Two will resume tomorrow at 8:00 a.m.

After Round Two concludes tomorrow, the field will be cut to the low 55 scores and ties. The projected cut currently sits at 3-over-par 143. Round Three is set to start at 12:00 p.m. on holes #1 and #10. The field will be in groups of three and the pairings will be finalized once Round Two is completed.

During the afternoon round, McCarthy started on hole #1 and notched an early eagle on #3. He then carded two more birdies on the front nine, but had a few blemishes on the backside when he made bogey on holes #11 and #13. However, he finished strong making birdie on #14, #15 and #18 to cap his second round.

“Well I got off to a pretty good start; I actually holed out on number three for an eagle. I got a couple birdies coming in, the rest [were] pars on the front. [I had] a couple bogeys early on, on the backside. [On] Hole #14 I hit a good drive and was fortunate enough to hit the green [for a] two-putt birdie there,” McCarthy said after his round. “We have a lot of golf left so I’m going to try and take it one shot at a time and play my game.”

JC Campbell (a) of Dallas remains in the top spot for Low Amateur honors. Campbell is through 13 holes in Round Two and sits at 2-under.

Again for 2017, the Low PGA Club Professional will be recognized at the Veritex Bank Texas State Open. Fifteen PGA club professionals are in the field. Ben Kern, PGA head professional at Oeste Ranch Golf Course, currently leads this division at 2-under par. Kern is through 17 holes for Round Two.

The 72-hole stroke play event consists of 156 players comprised of 35 amateurs and 121 professionals. The field will play 36-holes before being cut to the low 55 scores and ties. All four rounds will be contested at Trinity Forest Golf Club, a 7,135-yard, par 70 layout. The Veritex Bank Texas State Open has a purse of $200,000, one of the largest purses in the country for a state open. First place will win $40,000.

Children's Health is the charitable partner of the 47th Veritex Bank Texas State Open. Round Three will commence on Thursday, August 3 at 12:00 p.m.

Starting times and groupings can be found at www.ntpga.comwhen available. Admission is free to all.

Please note: (a) denotes amateur, and amateurs will be awarded gift certificates.

Round Two Current Standings

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