GOLF: Hawkins tied for lead at Kentucky Open (08/14)

The News-Enterprise LOUISVILLE — A pair of former high school region tournament champions are in contention for an even bigger trophy for their collections heading into today’s final round of the 156-player Fifth Third Bank/Callaway Golf Kentucky Open at the par-72 Audubon Country Club. Former North Hardin High School and Western Kentucky University standout Troy Hawkins carded a 67 during Wednesday’s round to move into a first-place tie with Manchester’s Trey Bowling at 135 through the first two rounds of the 54-hole event. “I’ve gone out the last couple of days and tried to play relaxed,” said Hawkins, who was two strokes out of the lead entering Wednesday after shooting 68 during Tuesday’s opening round. “I know what my talent level is and I’m just trying to play to it.” That talent level helped Hawkins card 11 pars, six birdies and one bogey on Wednesday. He opened with back-to-back birdies. Following his only bogey, he immediately responded with his fifth birdie. “I’ve played solid all week,” Hawkins said. “It wasn’t two career rounds back-to-back or anything like that. It was just two solid rounds. A bunch of fairways and a bunch of greens.” Of the nine area participants in the field, only former John Hardin and current University of Louisville standout Karsten Clements joins Hawkins for the final round after making the 70-man cut. Clements shot 74 on Wednesday and enters today in an 11-way tie for 37th place. “I was trying to play to win, but it’s been kind of a frustrating week,” said Clements, who hit 14 greens Wednesday. “On a normal day, that would be pretty good. But I had had 34 putts. I just didn’t feel comfortable. Yesterday (Tuesday) was OK, but I bogeyed the last two holes, which was a bummer.” Missing the cut were Hodgenville’s Cory Cox (76-73—149), former Elizabethtown standout Josh Crutcher (79-77—156), Hodgenville’s Steve Cox (75-82—157), former John Hardin player Andrew Flynn (78-80—158), former Central Hardin player Brandon Young (79-80—159), Lindsey Golf Course pro Clyde Hill (81-78—159) and Elizabethtown’s Rodney Chancey (77-82—159). Hawkins, who has decided to play competitively just in the last month, said there’s no pressure when his final trio goes off at 12:40 today. “I’ve played in some big tournaments, so I know what its like to have the eyes watching you,” said Hawkins, who finished sixth in the 2006 Kentucky Open. “It would be the biggest (win) by far. I’ve been in position in tournaments of this caliber, but I haven't gotten the job done. Hopefully tomorrow (Thursday) will be a different story.”