McCarthy takes over lead in Nova Scotia

Sydney, NS (SportsNetwork.com) – Daniel McCarthy fired his second straight round in the 60s on Friday and his second-round, 6-under 66 put him atop the leaderboard at the Cape Breton Celtic Classic.

McCarthy, who began the day two shots back of first-round leader Brandon Hagy, finished 36 holes at 11-under 133 and he holds a 2-shot lead over Chris Williams at The Lakes Golf Club.

Without a victory on the PGA Tour Canada, McCarthy is also looking for his first top-10 finish of the season.

Williams carded his second consecutive 67, which put him in sole possession of second place at 10-under 134 at the end of two rounds.

Greg Machtaler had the low round of the day by three shots with a 10-under 62, which vaulted him into a tie for third at 9-under 135. He is joined there by Mark Silvers (65) and Matt Harmon (69).

Michael Gligic (66) and Paul Ferrier (68) are tied for sixth at minus-8, while Ryan Brehm (68) and Hagy (72) are deadlocked at 7-under 137.

McCarthy began his march up the leaderboard right away with birdies on the 10th and 11th holes. He slowed up a bit on the rest of his first nine as McCarthy made the turn with seven straight pars from the 12th.

McCarthy’s big move came on his final nine where he made birdies on one, three, six and nine to take the outright lead at minus-11.

Also starting his round on the back nine, Williams did not get off to as quick of a start as McCarthy, but gains at 12 and 15 had Williams off and running early.

A bogey at the 17th was quickly erased by a birdie on the par-5 18th and Williams backed that one up with another gain on one. Two more birdies on three and five had Williams just one back of the lead after two rounds as he closed things out with four straight pars from six.

After making seven birdies, one eagle and two bogeys on the first day, Hagy struggled to just three birdies to go along with three bogeys as he shot even par on day two.

NOTES: McCarthy’s best finish of the season came at the Bayview Place Island Savings Open, where he ended in sole possession of 12th place … Williams also has never won on the PGA Tour Canada … With play suspended due to darkness on Thursday, the first round concluded Friday morning as Jesse Larson finished up his final two holes as the only player who had not ended his round on Thursday … Defending champion Mackenzie Hughes (67) ended two rounds at 5-under 139 and he is six shots back … With the cut falling at 1-under 143, 65 players advanced to the weekend.

Categorized in: PGA