Finishing his round in near total darkness at Independence Golf Club, Radford University’s Nick Taliaferro maintained his spot atop the leaderboard at the State Open of Virginia presented by CapTech.
Taliaferro, who grew up in Midlothian and is a member at nearby Salisbury Country Club, posted a 5-under 66 to take a commanding clubhouse lead. Only about half of the afternoon wave was able to finish on Saturday, as darkness forced a suspension. Taliaferro posted a two-day aggregate 11-under-par 131 and is five shots clear of the next competitor in the clubhouse.
Lightning in the area forced an initial suspension of play at 1:58 p.m. Play didn’t resume until 5:30 p.m. Play was halted for the evening around 9 p.m.
Jeff Thomas gets a view of his putting line on 1
Jeff Thomas urges his long putt along on 1. He lagged it tight from 50 feet for a tap-in par.
Brandon Berry had to take his shoes and socks off to stand in the pond to hit this one.
Egret, inside the penalty area
Alston Newsom, right, consults with ace caddie Cullen Campbell before teeing off on 16
Charlie Kennedy prepares for his drive on 16.
Trip Bose tees off on 16. Earlier in his round, he made a hole in one on the par-3 11th.
Kyle Bailey
Dominic Sampedro
Brendan McGrath
Chase Bailey
Isaac Simmons blasts out of the bunker on 2
Drew Brockwell
Nicholas Owen
Tim Ritter
Andrew Dekuester
Frank Alafoginis
David Phillips
Robb Kinder
Patrick Gareiss
Martin Chandler lines up his putt on 12
Aidon Baron reacts to a missed putt on 12
Zack Henry reacts to a missed birdie putt on 12
Joe Suarez
Adam Marshall
Nick Taliaferro
Nick Taliaferro and Channing Blevins read a putt on 14
Nick Taliaferro
Tim White
Alec Kormanec
Aryan Vuradi
Andrew Crowley
Terry Kim putts on 17
