Bailey still leads U.S. Open, but race tightens on day two

Aug 27th, 2008 by OutdoorsFIRST

Modified Aug 27th, 2008 at 12:00 AM

Bailey still leads U.S. Open, but race tightens on day twoLAS VEGAS-The top four spots remained the same, but race got tighter Tuesday in the 26th U.S. Open on Lake Mead. Shaun Bailey (20.35), John Kerr (18.65), Gary Dobyns (18.61) and Justin Kerr (18.51) remained on top of the leaderboard, but now are separated by just 2.20 pounds in the race for the $150,000 top prize.


	US Open Day 2 Leader Shaun Bailey (Photo WON BASS)

No pro competitor cracked the 10-pound mark on the second day, but Dobyns’ 9.56 pounds put pressure on both Bailey and Kerr, while the fourth place Justin Kerr from Simi Valley closed with 9.26 pounds.Tom Matsunaga of Gardena, Calif. jumped into the top five spots with a 9.40-pound sack, saying, “If you fish slow, they’re there. The bite went from reaction to a worm bite.”The forecast thunderstorms did not materialize, but winds picked up, perhaps to 15 mph in various parts of the Colorado River reservoir, while the temperature hovered around 105 degrees.The biggest change in the balance of the top 10 spots saw 27-time Bassmasters Classic qualifier Gary Klein move from 24th place into 8th on the strength of a 7.73-pound sack. Klein’s 15.13 pounds trails sixth place Matt Shura of Mesa, Ariz. with 15.32 pounds and Johnny Parks of Aztec, New Mexico with 15.16 pounds.Rounding out the top 10 spots was, in ninth, Gerald Loughran of Glendale Ariz. with 15.11 pounds, while 10th place goes to Aaron Leon of Henderson, Nev. with 15.05 pounds.The final weigh-in will commence on Wednesday, Aug. 27 beginning at 2 p.m. Pacific time.

Bailey still leads U.S. Open, but race tightens on day two

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