Garrett Rank fought hard to keep the heat going during the second round of the Canadian MenB次元官网网址檚 Mid-Amateur Championship and hold on to his lead at Victoria Golf Club on Wednesday.

The three-time Canadian MenB次元官网网址檚 Mid-Amateur Champion started off strong with three birdies and an impressive eagle across his first twelve holes against a single bogey. However, the strength of the wind picked up, making for difficult playing conditions on the back-nine.

B次元官网网址淪ometimes you get the bad end of the draw and we got the bad end of the draw with nine holes of absolute survival in the wind,B次元官网网址� said Rank. B次元官网网址淚 couldnB次元官网网址檛 really distance myself today and I guess mother nature didnB次元官网网址檛 cooperate, so it was a bit of a grind there.B次元官网网址�

The less-than-ideal weather saw the 30-year-old make two more bogeys for a second round 68. With more wind forecasted for Thursday, the Elmira, Ont., talent will head into the third round with a three-stroke lead.

B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 in a good condition after the first two days,B次元官网网址� added the NHL referee. B次元官网网址淣ow everyone has to play in the same weather conditions, so it levels the playing field a little bit and IB次元官网网址檓 in a good spot.B次元官网网址�

It was a different story for the three local golfers who round out the top-three. With the Victoria crowds cheering them on during the earlier wave, they are still within reach of winning the championship on home soil. As the familiar green of his home club lay under his feet, Victoria native Jordan Caron shot a 67 to sit in solo-second.

B次元官网网址淚 just wanted to come in with low expectations,B次元官网网址� said the former host club Assistant Professional. B次元官网网址淏ut itB次元官网网址檚 easy to get on your home golf course in a tournament like this and start thinking more about where not to hit instead of where to hit it, so IB次元官网网址檝e been reigning myself in.B次元官网网址�

Despite struggling with his swing, Caron registered four birdies and three bogeys enroute to a two-round score of 4 under par.

B次元官网网址淚 grinded well and kept my head and made a lot of par putts which is good and a few birdie putts here,B次元官网网址� added Caron. B次元官网网址淚t was kind of fun to start getting to the part when I was under par again, so itB次元官网网址檚 exciting but at the same time youB次元官网网址檙e trying to treat it like a regular round of golf out here.B次元官网网址�

Another Victoria Golf Club member, Saare Adams, started on the back-nine weighed down by four bogeys, but made three consecutive birdies after making the turn. The 34-year-old finished the round sharing a piece of third at 2 under with fellow Victorian Kevin Carrigan, who won the tournament in 2012 and 2013.

In the Mid-Master division, Todd Fanning from Winnipeg, Man., held on to first place, recovering from a shaky start that included two bogeys and two double bogeys.

B次元官网网址淭oday was a little more up and down than yesterday,B次元官网网址� said the defending champion. B次元官网网址淚 had a lot of silly shots and a lot of good shots and turned out to be an even-par 70 which was a bit of a grind because I had to finish 3 under on my last seven.B次元官网网址�

After recording the first ace of the tournament on the sixth hole, Sandy Harper of Nanaimo, B.C. is in second, three shots behind Fanning at 2 over. David Greenaway of Barrie, Ont., and host club member Craig Doell of Victoria, B.C., are tied for third at 4 over par.

Team Ontario cemented their spot in the tournamentB次元官网网址檚 history, defending their inter-provincial title with an impressive 10-stroke margin to win the R. Bruce Forbes Trophy for the fourth straight year. Thanks to RankB次元官网网址檚 lead, three-time Mid-Amateur champion Dave Bunker of Brampton, Ont., and Patrick Forbes of Toronto, Team Ontario secured their 14th win in the inter-provincial division, the most wins by a team since the division was established in 1992.

Team British Columbia finished in second with a total 2-over-par 282 while Team Manitoba came in third at 9-over-par 289.

In addition to the Canadian MenB次元官网网址檚 Mid-Amateur title, the 2018 champion will receive an exemption into the 2019 RBC Canadian Open at Hamilton Golf & Country Club in Hamilton, Ont.

2018 Canadian MenB次元官网网址檚 Mid-Amateur Championship leaders

1. Garrett Rank, Elmira, ON, *65-68-133 -7

2. Jordan Caron, Victoria, BC, *67-69-136 -4

3. Saare Adams, Victoria, BC, *68-70-138 -2

3. Kevin Carrigan, Victoria, BC, *69-69-138 -2

5. Joseph Deraney, Lexington, KY, *69-70-139 -1

5. Todd Fanning, Winnipeg, MB, *69-70-139 -1

5. Travis Fifi, Regina, SK, *72-67-139 -1

2018 Canadian MenB次元官网网址檚 Mid-Amateur Championship leaders, Mid-Master division

1. Todd Fanning, Winnipeg, MB, *69-70-139 -1

2. Sandy Harper, Nanaimo, BC, *71-71-142 +2

3. Craig Doell, Victoria, BC, *71-73-144 +4

3. David Greenaway, Barrie, ON, *72-72-144 +4

5. Jay Doyle, Winnipeg, MB, *72-73-145 +5

5. Senan Foley, Calgary, AB, *71-74-145 +5

5. Lance Lundy, Pemberton, BC, *75-70-145 +5

5. Derek Meinhart, Mattoon, IL, *74-71-145 +5

5. Gary Young, Oakville, ON, *72-73-145 +5