Gorgone Amateur leader

NASHUA, N.H. – Sean Gorgone, 22, of Brunswick, Maine, shot his second straight round of 1-over-par and took a one-stroke lead over his friendly rival Daniel Ladd, of Norway, Maine, in the 62nd New England Amateur Golf Championship on Wednesday.

Gorgone is the first Maine golfer to lead the tournament after two rounds and a Maine golfer has not won since 1979. He has two 73s for 146. The 72-hole tournament at Sky Meadow Country Club ends Thursday with 36 holes.

Ladd, 19, a past New England junior champion, was one of three players who matched par 72 after an opening day 75.

Gorgone, a three-time Maine amateur champion, birdied the first two holes, but three-putted the par-4 third hole and hit his tee shot into the woods on the ninth hole for bogeys, making it an even front nine.

He took a pair of bogeys on the back nine, birdied the par-4 17th and closed with a par for his 73.

First day leader Jack Kearney of East Longmeadow, Mass., shot a 79, falling six strokes behind.

Rodney Butcher of East Greenwich, R.I., who was one shot back of the lead on Tuesday, shot a 76 and is two strokes back.

Also two back are Tom Creavy of Orleans, Mass., and R.D. Haskell of Brookline, Mass.

Defending champion Hans Albertsson of Manchester, Vt., made the cut of 155 by one stroke. He is the only player among the remaining 41 who has won the event.