Thomas improves to 10th

From staff reports

Published: July 18, 2008

MIDLOTHIAN –– Liberty University coach Jeff Thomas shot a second-round 69 to move out of a 20-way tie for 28th place into 10th position Friday in the State Open of Virginia at the Par-72 Independence Golf Club.

Thomas cut four strokes off of his first-day 73. He moved one shot in front of Appomattox’s Faber Jamerson, the 1999 and 2006 champion who slipped into an eight-way tie for 11th at 143 by following his first-day score of 70 with Friday’s round of 73.

Amateur golfer Roger W. Newsom of Virginia Beach and PGA professional Chip Sullivan of Daleville each posted sub-par rounds to move into a share of the lead. Five players are three strokes back, including 2005 champion and first-round leader Ted Brown of Richmond, who shot a 74 Friday after opening with a 66, and amateur Tony Good of Glen Allen, who fired a 73 after opening with a 67.

Mini-tour player Chris McCartin of Arlington shot the low round of the day, a 6-under-par 66, and is tied with Cameron Yancey of Blackstone, four strokes back from the co-leaders at 3-under 141.

Only the top 76 players made the cut, which wound up being set at 150, entering today’s third of four rounds.

Will Andrews, a PGA professional out of Altavista, missed the cutoff by seven strokes after improving his first-round score by nine with a 73.