LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- Ernie Newton carded a 1-over 71 Sunday and is the clubhouse leader during the second round of stroke play at the 50th USGA Senior Amateur.
Newton completed two rounds at 4-over-par 144. He is joined at plus-4 by Ronald Vannelli, who is on the back nine of his second round.
The round was suspended at 9:30 p.m. (ET) Sunday due to darkness with 44 players remaining on the course. The round will resume at 10:30 a.m. Monday. Once the stroke play portion is completed, the first round of match play will begin.
Newton birdied two of his last three holes, but an early double bogey was a big set-back to his round at Bel-Air Country Club.
‘I’d be thrilled beyond belief if I were medalist,’ said Vannelli. ‘If I’m not, I’m going to be a little upset because I played the par-5s horrendously. I was 4-over, and didn’t make a birdie.’
Kemp Richardson, the defending champion, is joined at plus-5 during his round by Billy Clagett, Gary Hardin and Mark Bemowski.
Steve Bogan is in second place among those who have completed their rounds as he stands at 6-over-par 146. David Boesel is plus-6 during his round.
Steven Hakes and Billy Clagett stand at 7-over-par 147, while Chip Stewart, Ronnie Tumlin, Kent Christopher, Robert Lewis, Jr. and Michael Walters are two strokes further back at plus-9.
The first round of match play will be played Monday, with the second and third rounds scheduled for Tuesday. The quarterfinals and semifinals are slated for Wednesday with the 18-hole final to be played on Thursday.