Medley leads Hunt Memorial by 1 after 36

WHITEFISH — Andrew Medley shot a solid 72 Friday, but his lead at the 85th annual Earl Hunt Memorial Fourth of July tournament shrank to one stroke at Whitefish Lake Golf Club.

Billings’ Joey Moore and Brian Hanson of San Diego both shot 68 on Friday; Moore, who won here in 2017 and 2021, sits one stroke back after 36 holes at 5-under 138. He had seven birdies Friday, including three straight on holes 13-15.

Hanson, who birdied Nos. 13-16 Friday and had just one bogey, is one stroke behind Hanson.

Arthur Doorn (142) of Whitefish and Jason Johnston of Phoenix sit tied for fourth at 142.

Medley, from Scottsdale, Arizona, won here in 2012 and 2016.

Mike Mezei is at 143 and three players sit at 144, including Utahan Eli Rogers, who fired a 70 Friday to move into the top nine in the Championship Flight.

In the 1st Flight, Whitefish’s Shawn Tucker shot a 73 Friday to sit at 143 after two days.

In the Senior Championship Flight, Brad Grattan of Whitefish kept the pressure on with a second-day 72; at 2-under 141 he owns a five-stroke lead over Marty Mehl of Whitefish and leads by 10 strokes over the rest of the Seniors field.

On the women’s side, Glacier High and Montana Grizzlies alum Teigan Avery and two-time defending tournament champ Jasi Acharya shot Friday’s best rounds, 74, but gained just one stroke on Butte’s Patricia Joyce (1-under 143).

Joyce and Cora Rosanova of Bozeman both shot 75; Rosanova, who won in 2020, and Avery are tied for second at 4-over 147.

Acharya is at 148, and Flathead High graduate Marcella Mercer is at 150 after shooting 76 on Friday.

The 54-hole tournament concludes Saturday.