Tom Brandes strung together an impressive 5-under par 67 in the second round of the 27th Washington State Senior Men's Amateur, and has put himself in position to win an unprecedented third consecutive victory in the championship. Others have won more titles (Dr. John Harbottle has won this Senior Amateur an astounding five times), but none have won three in a row.
Brandes goes into the final round with a one shot lead over Russ Patterson of Bothell. Patterson was the first round leader, but that was before Brandes blitzed Everett Golf and Country Club with six birdies and an eagle (tempered, however, by three bogeys) in a round that vaulted him into the lead.
Patterson is just one shot behind Brandes, and Everett's Bob Burton is just two back. Lurking, but not lurking too far back, is Kent Brown, the 2008 champion, who sits just five shots back.
The leaders will be teeing off in the final round at 12:50 p.m.
