Bortis Surges Up Leaderboard in Second Round of NCAA Central Regional

CHARDON, Ohio – Arkansas golfer Matt Bortis shot up the leaderboard during Friday’s second round of the NCAA Central Regional with a 1-under-par 70 at the par-71, 7,136-yard Sand Ridge Golf Club.

After struggling through his first nine holes on Thursday, Bortis has caught fire over his last 27 holes and moved himself into contention for a berth in the NCAA Championships.

Bortis went 4-under over the final five holes of his second round to move from 63rd place after Thursday’s first round into a tie for 18th place after 36 holes.

After a birdie on the third hole on Friday, Bortis ran into trouble with bogies on the fourth and sixth holes and a double bogey on the seventh hole. He reeled off six straight pars before catching fire over the final five holes.

Bortis is 3-over par (145) for the tournament and eight shots off the lead of Oklahoma State’s Zach Robinson, who has shot rounds of 71 and 66.

The final round of the NCAA Central Regional that is being hosted by Cleveland State is scheduled to tee off Saturday morning from the Sand Ridge Golf Club in Chardon, Ohio.