Jan. 5, 2008
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Vanderbilt sophomore golfer Hudson Johnson remains tied for the lead following round two of the 82nd-annual New Year’s Invitational at the St. Petersburg Country Club.
Johnson stands at two-under 142 after shooting an even-par round on Friday. The Longview, Texas, native is tied with Chattanooga graduate Bryce Ledford for the 36-hole lead. The pair lead a field of 116 in the south’s oldest amateur tournament.
Three other Commodores are also competing in the impressive field. Junior Jon Curran stands only three strokes behind the leaders after shooting a one-over 73 on Friday. Curran stands in an eight-way tie for seventh place.
Vanderbilt seniors Billy Whalen (six-over 150) and John Ebert (12-over 156) are also competing in the four-day tournament.
Sunny skies and mild temperatures are expected in the St. Petersburg area for Saturday’s third round.
Commodore success is nothing new at the New Year’s Invitational. Former VU All-Americans Luke List and Brandt Snedeker — the 2007 PGA Tour Rookie of the Year — each won the event, in 2006 and 2004, respectively.