MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (AP) — University of Toledo coach Jamie Broce shot a 1-under 71 on Tuesday to increase his lead to three strokes in the PGA Professional National Championship.
The 37-year-old Broce had three birdies and two bogeys at The Dunes Golf & Beach Club to reach 5-under 211. He opened with a 68 at The Dunes and had a 72 on Monday at Grande Dunes.
“It was a long day and I didn’t have a lot of rhythm,” Broce said. “I hit some loose iron shots today, but made up for it by getting everything up and down. I’m absolutely happy with how I played.”
The top 20 Wednesday will get spots in the PGA Championship in August at Valhalla in Louisville, Kentucky.
“I don’t know what tomorrow will bring or necessarily what a good score will be, depending on the wind and the conditions,” said Broce, who got into the field as an alternate. “But hopefully, whatever they may be, I will just go out and execute.”
Michael Block was second after a 72. He’s the PGA head professional at Arroyo Trabuco Golf Club in Mission Viejo, California.
Karen Paolozzi, the third female player in tournament history, made the 54-hole cut by two strokes. Playing from tees in front of the men, she was tied for 60th at 8 over after a 78.
A former Indiana University player, the 31-year-old Paolozzi is a PGA assistant professional at Druid Hills in Atlanta. She isn’t eligible to earn a spot in the PGA Championship because she didn’t play from the men’s tees last fall when she qualified by beating Broce on the fifth extra hole in the Northern Ohio PGA Section Championship.
“The 54-hole cut was definitely on my mind today,” Paolozzi said. “I didn’t really hit the ball all that well. I was really grinding and trying to hold on as hard as I could. It was really nice to get that birdie on No. 17 and know I was still in the championship. I hit a nice shot in there. It felt good to know that I can still do it under pressure.”
Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
