Alex Beach of Stamford, Connecticut, shot 3-under-par 68 on the East Course on Monday at Belfair Golf Club to take a one-shot lead at the midway point of the 52nd PGA Professional Championship.
Beach sits at 8-under through 36 holes, one shot ahead of Danny Balin of Irvington, New York, who carded a 5-under 66 on the East Course in the second round to charge up the leaderboard.
First-round leader Ron Philo Jr. struggled to a 75 on Monday to fall six shots off the pace.
Former Bluffton resident Matt Bova of Charleston shot 75 for the second consecutive day and failed to make the cut.
The field of 312 golfers — all PGA Club Professionals — was cut to the low 90 players and ties after Monday’s second round with 92 players making the cut at 5-over. The field will again be cut to the low 70 and ties after Tuesday’s third round. After Wednesday’s final round, the top 20 players will earn invitations to the 101 PGA Championship to be played May 16-19 at Bethpage Black in Farmingdale, New York.
The event will be broadcast live on Golf Channel from 3-6 p.m. Tuesday and from 2:30-5:30 p.m. Wednesday.