Jamey Taylor couldn’t duplicate his opening-round 9-under par, but his 4-under on Thursday enabled him to increase his lead in the $100,000 Adams Kohl’s Open Championship to four shots.

He started the day at Gray Plantation with a two-shot lead after setting a tournament record by shooting 63 on Wednesday. On Thursday he settled for 34-34—68 with five birdies and a bogey, giving him a 13-under 36-hole total of 131.

“I didn’t run in as many putts today,” Taylor said, “but I’m in a good position. They are going to have to catch me.”

He added that he hoped to go out today and make pars and let the birdies come.

The field was cut to 32 players after Thursday’s round and it took a 3-under-par total or better to make the cut. Today’s third round tees off at 8 a.m.

The 3-under-par cut total is one of the lowest on the tour this season.

Tied in second place at 10-under 134 were Dustin Morris and former LSU golfer Ken Looper while six players were at 9-under 135, including defending champion Devin Carrey.

Mark Walker, who is battling for this year’s money winning title and won the last Adams tournament (in Abilene, Texas), was 8-under at 136, and money leader Dillon Rust was tied for 19th at 139 and 5-under par.

Looper, who is playing in his third Adams Tour event this year, and Shawn Jasper shot the day’s top round, 8-under par 64s.

Looper is a native of Mandeville and played one year for LSU after transferring from the University of New Orleans. He was the Louisiana state amateur champion in 2010. His round on Thursday had him going out in 33 and coming home in 31 with six birdies and an eagle, on the 379-yard 16th hole.

Jasper shot 33-31 and posted 10 birdies. However, he also had two bogeys. His best finish was a tie for seventh in the tour’s Colbert Charity Classic in July.

The lone amateur to make the cut was Landon Lyons, a former four-year LSU letterman. He came in with a 5-under-par 67 on Thursday after opening with a 73 on Wednesday. His 5-under total included six birdies and a bogey.

Gray Plantation club pro Tyler Kuhn failed to make the cut, posting a 76 to go with his opening round of 75.

Thursday’s round didn’t have as many low scores posted by the players and that was partly due to a strong wind that kicked up in the afternoon and the fact that the players played the ball down in the fairway unlike the lift, clean and place the day before.

The tournament will complete its 72-hole run on Saturday.(Rick Hickman/American Press)

Rick Hickman