Former UWGB golfer Joe DuChateau makes two eagles to surge into Wisconsin State Amateur lead

Joe DuChateau of Fond du Lac fired a 5-under 66 Tuesday at The Legend at Merrill Hills in Waukesha to surge to the top of the leaderboard of the Wisconsin State Amateur after two rounds at 6-under for the tournament.

A former player at the UW-Green Bay, DuChateau began on the back nine and eagled the par 5 17 ^th and made two birdies to start his round. He then eagled the par 5 2 ^nd hole. To go with his eagles, DuChateau made four birdies against three bogeys and surged into the tournament lead after an opening round 70.

His two-round total of 136 has given him a four shot lead over Sheboygan’s Drake Wilcox, who shot a 4-under 67 to climb into second place at 2-under for the tourney. They are the only two players under par through two rounds.

DuChateau came into the tournament with three top-5 finishes in WSGA events this year, including a tie for third at the Ray Fisher Amateur June 28-30.

University of Wisconsin alumnus Cameron Huss shot a 2-over 73 and Madison's Garrett Jones shot an even-par 71 on Tuesday. They're tied for third place at even-par 142 for the tournament overall.

First-round leader Ty Kretz of Marinette began the day at 5-under but struggled in the second round with a 6-over 77. He was tied for fifth with four other players at 1-over for the tournament.

Tony Romo, Nick Schmaltz miss cut

The Wisconsin State Amateur cut the field to the top 70 players and ties after Tuesday’s second round, and two of the more notable participants slammed their trunks after signing their scorecards.

Utah Hockey Club centerman and Madison native Nick Schmaltz missed the cut after shooting a 4-over 75 on Tuesday. After a first-round 81, he finished with a two-round total of 14-over 156.

It was Schmaltz’s first time competing in the Am.

More: NHL player, Madison native Nick Schmaltz having fun playing golf 'on the side' this week at State Amateur

Former Dallas Cowboys quarterback and current CBS color analyst Tony Romo bounced back from an opening round 85 to post a 6-over 77 on Tuesday, but his total of 20-over 162 was well outside the cut line.

Romo got into the field off a top-25 finish in the 2023 Amateur, so he will have to qualify to get into next year’s at The Lido in Nekoosa.

More: Tony Romo on Jordan Love's contract extension: 'It’s gonna get done'

Defending champion withdraws

After posting a 7-over 78 on Monday, the tournament’s defending champion Jack Schultz withdrew from the tournament.

There has not been a repeat champion in the event since Ryan Quinn won in 2001 and 2002.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Former UWGB golfer Joe DuChateau makes two eagles to surge into Wisconsin State Amateur lead