THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
FARMINGDALE, N.Y. — Nick Taylor of Abbotsford, B.C., led the three amateurs who made the cut by tying a record that was last matched in 1971.
Taylor, a rising senior at the University of Washington and the 2009 Pac-10 player of the year, shot a 5-under 65 at Bethpage Black on Saturday, the third time an amateur shot a round that low in an Open.
Taylor’s 138 total left him six strokes off the lead of Ricky Barnes and had him as low man among the 14 amateurs in the field. Drew Weaver of Virginia Tech was at 141 after a second-round 72 and Kyle Stanley, the NCAA Division I runner-up this year from Clemson, shot a second-round 74 to make the cut on the number at 4 over.
James McHale shot a 6-under 65 at St. Louis Country Club in 1947, and James Simons had a 5-under 65 at Merion Golf Club in 1971.
“It’s a good feeling to be able to make the cut and play the weekend,” Taylor said. “You know, I’m a couple under par, and tomorrow I have really no expectations, so just go out and play as well as I can and not have any pressure for the most part.”