Cape Girardeau's Simmons leading way for locals making cut at Missouri Amateur Championship golf tournament

Chance Holden of Dexter, Missouri hits from the third tee box Tuesday, June 19, 2018 during the Missouri Amateur Championship at Dalhousie Golf Club.

Fred Lynch

Scoring was down slightly during Wednesday's second round of the 111th annual Missouri Amateur Championship golf tournament, but the result was the same: everyone was looking up at Brad Nurski.

The defending champion and Day 1 pacesetter remained atop the leaderboard after a 4-under-par 68 performance to finish at 9-under 135 as stroke play wrapped up at Dalhousie Golf Club.

Nurski birdied hole Nos. 5, 11, 12, 17 and 18 to maintain his edge on the field.

Travis Simmons of Cape Girardeau watches his tee shot on the first hole during Tuesday's first round of the Missouri Amateur Championship at Dalhousie Golf Club.

Fred Lynch

Chance Holden, of Dexter, had the best performance of the day, carding a 5-under 67 after shooting even par on Tuesday.

After a hot start on Day 1 for Cape Girardeau's Travis Simmons, the Cape Girardeau Central alum finished at even par on Day 2 for a total of 2-under 141 and a third-place finish in stroke play.

Simmons opened his day with a pair of bogeys on Nos. 9 and 10, but righted the ship and polished off his front eight with a birdie on 18. He then turned around and birdied Nos. 3, 5 and 6 before bogeying two of his final three holes of the day.

Christopher Ferris, of St. Louis, and Timothy Holmes, of Springfield, Missouri, tied for fourth at 2-under 142.

Jackson's Drew Denton was 1-over on the day to remain tied for 14th.

After shooting a 4-over 76 on Tuesday, Cape Girardeau's Brevin Giebler shot an even 72 Wednesday to tie for 21st.

The top 64 places following the two days of stroke play made the cut for four days and six rounds of match play, which will wind down and determine a champion on Sunday.

Other notable names from the area who made the cut are Notre Dame Regional High School alumnus Brady Dixon (5-over 149; tied 28th), Sikeston's Gabe Wheeler (8-over 152, tied 45th), Jackson's Jason Cahill (10-over 154, tied 54th) and former Advance High School standout Brian Whitson (11-over 155, tied 60th)

The average score on the par-72 course Wednesday was 77.353, down nearly two strokes from Tuesday. Round 2 saw eight eagles, with six coming on No. 18.

Match play begins Thursday with the Round of 64, which will be cut in half for Friday's competition. Saturday will feature the quarterfinals (final eight) and semifinals.