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By Chris Lang
MIDLOTHIAN — Finishing his round in near total darkness at Independence Golf Club, Radford University’s Nick Taliaferro maintained his spot atop the leaderboard at the State Open of Virginia presented by CapTech.
Taliaferro, who grew up in Midlothian and is a member at nearby Salisbury Country Club, posted a 5-under 66 to take a commanding clubhouse lead. Only about half of the afternoon wave was able to finish on Saturday, as darkness forced a suspension. Taliaferro posted a two-day aggregate 11-under-par 131 and is five shots clear of the next competitor in the clubhouse.
Lightning in the area forced an initial suspension of play at 1:58 p.m. Play didn’t resume until 5:30 p.m. Play was halted for the evening around 9 p.m.
Professional Mark Lawrence Jr., the 2020 State Open champion and two-time VSGA Amateur winner, was also able to finish his round. He shot a 1-under-par 70 on Saturday and has a two-day total of 6-under 136.
Professional Chris O’Neill of Glen Allen barely finished his round as well and posted a two-day 5-under total of 137.
Connor Burgess, who recently completed his eligibility at Virginia Tech and is playing his first tournament as a professional, was still on the course and at 8-under through 14 holes, three behind Taliaferro.
Second-round play will resume at 7:30 Sunday morning. Upon completion of the second round, the field will be cut to the low 60 players and ties for the third and final round. Players will begin that round soon after the second round, with play going off both the first and 10th tees.
The final round will be televised in the 4-6 p.m. window on WTVR in Richmond, WAHU in Charlottesville, WTKR in Norfolk, WSET in Lynchburg/Roanoke and WEMT in Bristol.
NOTES
- Trip Bose, a professional from Eagle Haven Golf Course in Virginia Beach, scored his first career competition hole-in-one, making an ace on the 110-yard par-3 11th Saturday, using a 50-degree wedge.
- Several players made big moves to get back into contention in Saturday’s morning wave, led by Virginia Beach professional Alston Newsom, who posted a 4-under 67 for a two-day total of 2-under 140. Chesterfield’s Drew Brockwell returned a 3-under 68 and is also at 140.
- The move of the day came from Richmond’s Connor Johnson, who followed up his opening-round 78 with a 5-under 66. Overall, he’s at 2-over 144.
Lang is the VSGA’s Manager of Media and Communications. The State Open of Virginia is jointly conducted by the VSGA and Middle Atlantic PGA.