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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Torrid putting gives Tony Robydek 2-shot lead at Lilac

Some days the putts fall, some days they don’t.

Tony Robydek’s putts found the target Friday and Jason Humphrey’s often came up short of the cup.

Robydek had 11 birdies en route to a sizzling 10-under-par 62 at The Fairways, giving him the 36-hole lead by two shots over Humphrey at the 51st Lilac City Invitational.

“I putted well, that’s all,” said Robydek, who teaches at Pro Golf Discount in Tacoma. “I had 34 putts (Thursday), I probably had 27 today.”

Humphrey, a 33-year-old from Coos Bay, Oregon, hit it better than he did during Thursday’s 63, but he needed 35 putts compared to 27 in the opening round. The result was a 2-under 70. He made his lone bogey of the first two days on No. 18.

“Hopefully, today was my worst round of the (four-day) tournament,” Humphrey said. “I putted like a wimp. I never got anything to the hole.”

Wenatchee’s Kevin PomArleau is in third at 9-under 135 after rounds of 67 and 68. Former Eastern Washington Eagle Peter Sisich (Cheney High) is at 136 after following up his 66 with a 70. Tim Hall’s 65 moved him into fifth at 137. Spokane’s Corey Prugh (Ferris High) shot his second straight 70 and sits nine strokes off the pace.

Rathdrum’s Tony Hanna (66-73) is the low amateur by three shots.

Robydek had one hiccup. He shanked a wedge from 100 yards out on No. 6 that led to his only bogey.

“Everything else was clicking and putts were falling,” he said. “It’s been a while since the putter was that hot. I spent the last three to four nights out here putting with a buddy and hopefully it’s paying off.”

Humphrey, who caddies at Bandon Dunes Golf Resort, was 2 under on the front nine. He hit a nice chip on No. 11 but couldn’t convert a 4-footer for birdie. He birdied the par-5 12th with two putts from 35 feet. He three-putted from 30 feet for a frustrating five on the par-5 14th.

His wedge on 18 came up short of the green in high grass and he wasn’t able to get up-and-down.

“I hit the ball well enough to shoot 60,” he said. “Golf is always fun, but it was pretty boring out there today.”

Humphrey has been in the mix the last three years at The Fairways.

“I love this tournament,” he said. “I just have a lot of confidence here and being out there for the third year I’m starting to really know the little subtleties around the greens.”

Sisich, who holds the course record with a 59 in 2008, made birdies on 5, 11 and 15 with his lone bogey coming on the par-3 13th.

The final three groups will tee off this morning and Sunday between 11:10 and 11:30.

Men’s Amateur

James Beale of Auckland, New Zealand, won the 113th Pacific Northwest Men’s Amateur Championship on the 38th hole, defeating Cole Madey of West Linn, Oregon, at Palouse Ridge Golf Club in Pullman.

Neither player had more than a 2-up advantage over the 38 holes.

Beale won the 36th hole to tie the match and force the playoff.

Women’s amateurs

Aaren Ziegler of Canby, Oregon, defeated Tyler Barker of Caldwell, Idaho, 2 and 1 to win the PNGA Women’s Amateur while Amanda Jacobs of Seattle defeated Brie Stone of Beneta, Oregon, 4 and 2 in the Mid-Amateur.

Both tournaments were played at Lewiston Golf & Country Club.