Newsom up 2 at State Open

MIDLOTHIAN — Amateur Roger W. Newsom of Virginia Beach shot 5-under-par 67 Saturday for a two-shot lead entering Sunday’s final round of the 2008 SunTrust State Open of Virginia.

Newsom, a 44-year-old ophthalmologist, matched the best round of the day and is at 12-under 204 for the championship at Independence Golf Club.

Chip Sullivan, 43, of Troutville, posted 3-under 69 and is two off the pace at 10-under 206. Professionals Jimmy Flippen Jr. of Danville and 2005 State Open champ Ted Brown of Richmond each shot 69 and are at 7-under 209.

Former UVa golfer Cameron Yancey of Blackstone was six shots back at 210. Charlottesville residents Jerry Burton and Rob McNamara were at 214 and 215, respectively. Palmyra’s Bryan Jackson was at 218.

Newsom started the day tied for the lead with Sullivan at seven under. He birdied both par 5s on the outward half at Nos. 4 and 8, and sandwiched in another birdie at the par-4 sixth hole. By the turn Newsom was 10 under for the event and two strokes ahead of Sullivan.

Newsom had consecutive bogeys at Nos. 15 and 16 to drop to 10 under, but he birdied the final two holes to take the lead into the final round.

Newsom was a finalist at this year’s VSGA Amateur Championship and placed fifth in last week’s Eastern Amateur. A high finisher in many state events, Newsom is looking for a breakthrough performance on Sunday.

“There are so many good players that I’m going to have to play the way I’ve been playing,” he said. “We’ll see if I can win one. I’m getting pretty tired of coming in second.”