SASKATOON – American Joel Dahmen shot a 7-under 65 to take the lead after the second round of the Dakota Dunes Casino Open Friday.
Dahmen, who was diagnosed with testicular cancer in March of this year and had surgery in May, is competing in his second golf tournament since finishing chemotherapy.
“I’m just happy to be playing, I really had no expectations coming into this week,” said the 23-year-old who sits at 12 under for the tournament. “Making bogeys doesn’t matter as much to me this year as it did last year and I think it’s (cancer) helped my perspective on life tremendously.”
Dahmen’s diagnosis came just one year after his brother was diagnosed with testicular cancer and six years after his mother succumbed to another form of the deadly disease.
“It’s something that has run in the family and when I felt the bump I knew what it was right away,” said Dahmen who only had to endure one round of chemotherapy. “Luckily we caught it quickly and I’m expected to make a full recovery and I’m feeling pretty good as it stands.”
Dahmen’s second round Friday didn’t start very well as he bogeyed the first hole. But he carded eight birdies in a 15 hole stretch to take the lead into Saturday’s action.
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Dahmen, whose best finish on the Canadian Tour came in Victoria last season when he tied for seventh, is playing his 12th event on tour and likes the way course at Dakota Dunes is set up.
“There are a lot of birdies available out there,” said Dahmen who has a total of 15 birdies over two rounds. “I’ve been working on my chipping and putting after last week and it paid off today.”
Californian Liam Kendregan shot 5-under 67 and is one shot back of Dahmen at 11-under-par for the tournament. Kendregan is playing this season on a medical exemption after sustaining injuries in a car accident last season.
“Taking the year off put things in perspective and I’m very much enjoying being out here with the boys, it feels really good,” said the 28-year-old.
Kendregan, who went bogey free Friday, said he will feel no pressure playing in the final group on Saturday.
“I’m going to enjoy it, I’ve got two more rounds and I’m going to see how low I can go,” Kendregan said. “I’m really enjoying being back out here and competing with the boys, it’s going to be fun tomorrow.”
Jose Rodriguez shot the best round of the day with a 9-under 63, two shots off the course record set by Cody Slover in 2010.
The Mexican sits two shots back of Dahmen and just one shot off Kendregan.
Isabelle Beisiegel from St. Hilaire, Que., struggled, firing a 4-over 76. Combined with her opening round 73 she finished seven shots off the cut.
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