Stiff opposition
He’ll have stiff opposition over the next two rounds. McConnell, the 2024 Canadian Senior Men’s champion, has three top-tens in his last three Senior Amateur appearances, including two thirds. He added a three-under-par 69 around Walton Heath’s Old Course to go with his opening 70 on the New.
Americans Danny Nelson and 2019 US Senior Amateur champion Bob Royak share third place on four-under.
Gritty ability
Eakin is looking to go two places better this year than her debut appearance at Saunton Golf Club when she placed third. She’s dropped nine shots over the first two rounds but has shown a gritty ability to bounce back from adversity.
For example, she made a double-bogey at the fifth but came back with birdies on the seventh and ninth holes. She began the back nine with a bogey but birdied the 13th and 18th holes to get into the clubhouse on level par, one under for the tournament.
“I’ve just held it together well when things weren’t going to plan,” the 55-year-old said. “I’ve just taken my punishment and accepted it knowing I’ll get chances to put it right.
“I didn’t have any expectations coming in here but you always want to do well in this championship because it’s the biggest tournament of the year. Sometimes you can get inspired by a good course, and these are two great courses."
Eakin has a number of good players on her tail to ensure the next two rounds will be competitive. Looking past Stouffer, French player Carole Danten Azfi and American Kathy Hartwiger are two shots behind on one-over-par.
Australia’s Sue Wooster is on two-over in solo fifth place. Like Kennedy, she has form this year. She’s won three times, including the recent Italian Senior International Ladies Championship.
Fellow Australian and defending champion Nadine Gole is only five shots off the lead in joint seventh place.