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VERONA, N.Y. (AP) — Former PGA Tour player Omar Uresti shot a 5-under 67 on Monday at Turning Stone to take the second-round lead in the PGA Professional Championship
The final top 20 will earn spots next month in the PGA Championship at Baltusrol in New Jersey.
The 47-year-old Uresti, a PGA Life Member from Austin, Texas, had a 9-under 135 total. He had only 25 putts in the round at Kaluhyat. He opened with a 68 on Sunday at Atunyote, the site of the final two rounds.
"It was a solid scoring day," Uresti said. "I was a little tight and held on to make some putts. I've been playing pretty well. I was working on my putting, speeding up my routine. It seems to be helping."
Uresti tied for fourth at Atunyote in the PGA Tour's 2006 B.C. Open,
"I did have a good finish here, so that provides a good feeling to draw back on," Uresti saud. "It was a while ago, but it does help a little, actually quite a bit."
Ryan Helminen, the PGA Teaching Professional at Ridgeway Country Club in Neenah, Wisconsin, was a stroke back after a 69 at Atunyote.
"Even though I'm 41, my game is getting better every year," Helminen said. "Playing in this championship, the state opens, playing with better competition, it makes you better. I feel like I'm still learning. I feel like I haven't peaked. As long as I get better each year, who knows what's out there?"
Rich Berberian Jr. of Derry, New Hampshire, was 7 under after a 69 at Kaluhyat.
Karen Paolozzi of Atlanta was tied for eighth at 3 under after a 70 at Atunyote.
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