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NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y. -- It was moving day at the 100th New York State Men’s Amateur, but only seven players remain in red figures entering tomorrow's final day at Wykagyl Country Club. 

Related: Results / Pairings / Photos / Rd 1 Recap / Championship Central 

Out of those seven players is Ben Carpenter of GlenArbor Golf Club, who for the second day is the solo leader for the championship. 

Coming down the stretch, heavy winds really started to pick up and Carpenter knew it was going to be a challenge to finish strong. 

The Yale Bulldog was 2-over heading onto the par-5 18th hole where he hit three spectacular shots to assist a 10-foot birdie putt, extending his lead to two strokes and building momentum going into Wednesday.  

“It was a very interesting day on the course. A lot of mixed weather. Very windy towards the end of the round but the beginning was hot, humid, and we even got some squalls and a little rain but overall I am honestly very happy with how I played today.” said Carpenter about his Tuesday afternoon round.

Carpenter has talked about taking advantage of the five par 5s and how it is a big part of his success out on the course. He is 8-under on par 5s through 36 holes at Wykagyl. 

“I have had some experience in the past with leads going into the last day and I have had them go my way and not go my way so I have had some learning experience,” said Carpenter about heading into the final rounds as the solo leader. “Stay focused for tomorrow, take it shot by shot, and play my own game and not focus on everyone else.”

Carpenter won the Connecticut State Amateur and the Ivy League Championship in 2022, and previously the MGA’s Carter Cup in 2019. 

Fletcher Wunderlich, of MGA eClub - Hudson Valley, but has served as a caddy at Wykagyl for the past two seasons, held steady on the second day, as he fired a 3-under 69 to join two others in second with a two-round total of 142. He started his day with an eagle on the first hole and a birdie on the third.

“I’m excited, I love competing. I can’t wait, tomorrow we have a lot of golf ahead,” said Wunderlich. “Luckily I was in the morning today so I was able to go home and get some rest and be ready for tomorrow.

Wunderlich qualified during the Westchester Qualifier at Mahopac on July 13, where he made an ace to help him qualify for the championship on the number.

Tied with Wunderlich at 2-under par is Garden City Golf Club’s Ryan Rittberger (70-72) who stayed patient and shot even for his second round. Carpenter, Wunderlich and Rittberger will play in the final pairing in both the third and fourth rounds. Also at that number is Jeremy Sisson of Skaneateles Country Club, who shot 2-under today with 5 birdies (72-70).

Three players are tied at 1-under, including the 2021 NYS Men’s Amateur champ James Allen, who after firing an opening round of 69, shot a 2-over round of 74. He finished his first round early this morning after Monday’s weather delays made the field unable to finish the round that day before the sun went down.

Alongside Allen is Thomas Finn of Nassau Country Club who bettered his opening score (73) with a 2-under (69) on Tuesday, and Ben Loomis of Winged Foot Golf Club who despite having three bogeys on his back nine knocked in five birdies to remain in the top five (70-73).

2021 NYS Boys’ 18U Junior Amateur champ Anthony Delisanti (72-72) of Willowbrook Golf Course and William Celiberti (69-75) of Gardiner’s Bay Country Club both sit at even par for the tournament after their second rounds.

George Roessler of Maidstone came back with a 5-under 67 on Tuesday, after an opening round 82 yesterday. He is the only person to shoot 67 so far besides the leader, Carpenter.

The course was set up at 6,690 yards for the second round and played to a par of 72.

There was a cut today to low 40 and ties after 36 holes that landed at 7-over 151, with 46 golfers making it through to the final two rounds.

Tomorrow, the Ganson Depew Cup is up for grabs as the field will play their final 36 holes, with a champion crowned at the end of the day.