Kaye Leads Defending Champ by 2 at CoBank Colorado Open

Jonathan Kaye
Jonathan Kaye leads the CoBank Colorado Open by two strokes heading into Sunday’s action.

Jonathan Kaye of Boulder, CO posted a flawless 7-under par 65 to separate from the pack and take the lead by two strokes at 17-under par at the $250,000 CoBank Colorado Open at Green Valley Ranch Golf Club. The two-time PGA Tour winner and 1996 Colorado Open champ posted three birdies on his first four holes and five on his first nine, before recording only two more birdies on the inward nine.

Defending champion Neil Johnson of River Falls, Wis. made the biggest move of the day by shooting a tournament-low 9-under 63 to share 2nd place at 15-under with 2nd round leader Jacob Lestishen of Lone Tree, CO, Oscar Fraustro of Chihuahua, Mexico and current low amateur Jake Staiano of Cherry Hills, CO. Johnson’s flawless card was only slightly better than Staiano’s 8-under 64 that included seven birdies, an eagle at the par-5 9th that lipped out for double-eagle and a bogey at the par-4 10th.

Alone in 6th another two strokes back at 13-under par is Nick Palladino of Highland Heights, OH, ahead of five players at 12-under (T-7) including PGA Tour player Richard Lee of Bellevue, WA and 2012 Colorado Open low amateur champ Steven Kupcho of Westminster, CO.

In the low amateur competition Staiano enjoys a seven-stroke lead over the next competitor (Chris Thayer of Golden, CO) who posted a 4-under 68 to stand at 8-under total (208, T-33).

Click here for complete results from today’s round.

 

For current standings, including final round pairings, hole-by-hole scores and player profiles, visit www.ColoradoOpen.com.

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