Hot streak continues for Jags

Smiles were easy to find as the Saturday night dusk fell upon Forest Hills Golf Club.

On one side of the course, USC Aiken senior golfer Roberto Diaz beamed following a bogey-free effort. At the clubhouse, Augusta State freshman Taylor Floyd couldn't have frowned if he tried after his team's performance.

The Jaguars continued their hot stretch, firing 25-under-par 551 to take a six-shot lead into the final round of today's Administaff Augusta State Invitational.

Diaz, who tied a tournament record with an opening 8-under-par 64, followed with 69. At 11-under-par 133, Diaz leads the individual portion by two shots over Floyd (68-67) and Chattanooga's Derek Rende (66-69).

"I'm going to try and do the same thing as I did today. Hit it in the fairway, hit greens and see if the putter gets hot," Diaz said.

Augusta State, which won the Hootie at Bulls Bay Intercollegiate on Tuesday, is seeking its second win in a week. The Jaguars, who lead Central Florida (282-275) by six and Chattanooga (273-286) by eight, will try to record consecutive victories for the first time since the 2002-03 season.

"I think it's just the confidence boost from last week," Augusta State sophomore Henrik Norlander said. "We told each other after that win we're still not great. We can get a lot better."

"This is probably the best stretch of golf I've seen here," Jaguars coach Josh Gregory said. "It's just remarkable golf. I'm proud of the guys."

All five Jaguars are under par through two rounds. Floyd posted his best 36-hole start of the season, while the steady Norlander (69-68) is tied for fourth place four shots off the lead. Senior Janne Kaske (71-68) is tied for 12th, while junior Jake Amos (70-71) is tied for 25th and sophomore Carter Newman (72-70) is tied for 31st.

"We don't want last week to be a one-time thing," Floyd said.

Diaz said he was trying to build off a final-round 69 at the Hootie at Bulls Bay event.

Starting on No. 6, Diaz closed his opening round with four birdies in his final five holes. He missed just four greens all day and could've gone lower if a few more short putts had fallen.

"Since the beginning (of the day) I hit the ball very well," said Diaz, who's seeking his fourth career win.

"I told myself I was going to be patient all day."

USC Aiken, which opened with 289, is in 10th place after carding 282 in the afternoon. Junior Justin Thompson shot 67-72 and is tied for 12th place. Sophomore J.P. Solis, who opened with 82, rebounded with 67 in the second round.

Reach Chris Gay at (706) 823-3645 or chris.gay@augustachronicle.com.