Bowden leads by 1 at Nationwide

SANDY — Consistency and putting are a great combination when trying to win a golf tournament.

Craig Bowden seems to have both after firing back-to-back 65s for a 12-under score to lead the Nationwide Utah Championship at Willow Creek Country Club.

"I'm putting the ball real well," said Bowden. "I'm seeing my lines; I'm hitting my lines. Ones I'm hitting fairly close I'm making, and I've made some putts, which you have to do to play well. I've gotten some good breaks and created some good breaks."

Bowden's two rounds had some remarkable similarities. The 41-year-old from Indiana had 12 pars and six birdies, 28 putts and hit 16-of-18 greens in regulation in each round. He is currently 41st on the Nationwide Tour money list. There was a major difference in his play on Friday.

"I didn't drive it as straight today," added Bowden, who hit 12-of-12 fairways in his first round but only 6-of-12 for Round 2. "I hit some first cuts (of rough), but I was able to capitalize. I got some good lies when I did miss the fairway, and I was able to convert a couple of times for birdie. I kind of have it on auto right now, just letting it roll and not worrying about things."

Another difference between Bowden's rounds was where on the course he took advantage of his scoring opportunities. On Thursday, he birdied five of the first seven holes on the front side. Conversely, he had a par on all seven of those holes on Friday before getting hot and nailing birdies on five of the next six holes. He knows his 12-under total is a great start but that he still has work to do.

"The course is in good shape," said Bowden. "The greens are really firm; you have to hit good shots. It takes a lot of luck even from the fairway. It is what it is here in Salt Lake. You know the scores are going to be fairly low; my goal is to get it to about 20-under par and see if that holds up. If I continue doing what I'm doing, I think I'll have a decent shot at it"

Defending champion Brendon Todd missed the cut, which wound up at minus-3 with 63 players at that mark or better. Spending the majority of his time on the regular tour in 2009 — he played in 18 events and made five cuts, with his best finish a tie for 12th at the St. Jude Classic — Todd missed the cut in only his third Nationwide event, shooting 73-70 — 143 for a 1-over total to miss the cut by four shots.

Daniel Summerhays led the Utah contingent and was the only player from the Beehive State to make the cut after firing a second-round 66 for a minus-7 total. He is currently in a tie for 15th place.

Clay Ogden shot a 71 to finish at minus-1, while Chris Gresh had a 68 (even-par total). Draper's Mark Owen regrouped after his opening-day 74 to post a 66 and just missed the cut at minus-2. Steve Schneiter also had a better second day with a 66 and wound up at 3-over. Dave DeSantis fired an even-par 71 on Friday but was 10-over overall.

Dave Shultz tied the course record with his round of 63 and is currently in a tie for third at 10-under with four other players, trailing only Bowden and John Kimbell, who is 11-under.

First-round leader Alistair Presnell shot a 2-under 69 and is in the group bunched at 10-under.

"My approach will be to hit the putting green and work on my wedges," said Presnell. "I need to hit it a little closer and hit some of my putts."

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