92nd WV Open: Three-time champion Christian Brand surges into a tie for the lead

Former WVU Tech Conference Champion Bryson Beaver is tied for 11th

Hurricane - "Moving Day" at the 92nd West Virginia Open saw 19 players record red figures to set the stage for a Friday showdown at Sleepy Hollow Golf Club.

When the final putt dropped in Thursday's action, 13 players were within six shots of the lead.

First round leader Ryan Bilby shot 69 Thursday to remain at the top, but three-time champion Christian Brand fired a 6-under par round of 66 to match Bilby's two-day total of 135 to share the lead.

Thad Obency backed up his first round 69 with a 67 to sit one shot back at 8-under par (136).

Nick Dent from White Sulphur Springs also shot 67 Thursday and is tied with Cameron Jarvis and Chris Williams at 6-under par (138).

Sam O'Dell, who is a four-time WV Amateur champion, is four back of the lead (139), tied with 12-time WV Open champions David Bradshaw.

Former Cabell Midland state champion Jack Michael and Kenney Hess are tied at 4-under par (140). Hess fired a 67 Thursday to get back in contention.

Bryson Beaver slipped into a tie for 11th-place with a one-over par 73 and is six back of Brand and Bilby.

Davey Jude shot 3-under par to move back to even par (144) for the WV Open, while defending champion Todd Duncan rebounded with a 69, but sits 10 shots back heading to the final round.

The final round of the championship will begin Friday morning at 8:00 a.m.

The WV Open Championship has a rich 91-year history. Legendary professional golfer Sam Snead holds the record for the most WV Open victories with 17 between 1936 and 1973.

Complete results can be viewed at:

https://wvga.bluegolf.com/bluegolf/wvga25/event/wvga2557/contest/1/leaderboard.htm