ST. SIMONS ISLAND - Michael Smith of Lafayette, La., shot a tournament-low, 2-under-par 68 Wednesday to take a 1-shot lead in the Southern Junior Golf Championship.<br>
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Smith's playing partner, Cameron Hooper of Jacksonville, Fla., had a 69 to trail with a two-round total of 140.<br>
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Hooper was one of eight players within four strokes of Smith as the tournament headed into Thursday's final round. The champion earns an automatic exemption into the Southern Golf Association's 98th Southern Amateur next month at the Honors Course near Chattanooga, Tenn.<br>
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Adam Mitchell of Chattanooga, who posted a 60 in a major junior tournament last week, also fired a 69 and joined Zack Sucher (71) of Mobile, Ala., at 142. Savannah's Mark Silvers remained within reach at 143 along with four others after a round of 71.<br>
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Southern Junior Golf Championship Leading Scores<br>
Wednesday<br>
Second Round<br>
At Sea Island Golf Club<br>
St. Simons Island, Ga.<br>
Yardage: 6,813; Par: 70<br>
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Michael Smith, Lafayette, La. 71-68__139<br>
Cameron Hooper, Jacksonville, Fla. 71-69__140<br>
Adam Mitchell, Chattanooga, Tenn. 73-69__142<br>
Zack Sucher, Mobile, Ala. 71-71__142<br>
Mark Silvers, Savannah, Ga. 72-71__143<br>
Jeff Hall, Franklin, Tenn. 73-70__143<br>
Ty Sanders, Tulsa, Okla. 71-72__143<br>
Ryne Fisher, Clarksville, Tenn. 74-69__143<br>
Garrett Schneider, Ponte Vedra, Fla. 71-72__143<br>
Tyler Rucarean, Gainesville, Fla. 74-70__144<br>
Ben Rogers, San Antonio, Texas 72-73__145<br>
Jake Nolen, Birmingham, Ala. 76-69__145<br>
Jason Turner, Little Rock, Ark. 73-72__145
