Mick Madden Extends Lead in Maine Amateur Championship

Sanford, Maine — Mick Madden has continued his dominance in the Maine Amateur Championship, extending his lead into Thursday's final round at Sanford Country Club. The Woodlands Club golfer from Massachusetts took control early Tuesday, shooting a 3-under 69 to reach six under par, and maintained his advantage on Wednesday with another solid round.

The second round of the championship, held at Sanford Country Club, saw temperatures climb from the comfortable low 70s on Tuesday to the mid-80s by Wednesday, creating challenging conditions across the course. Drier greens and tighter pin placements forced players to take more adventurous approaches, resulting in fewer rounds at even par or better—down to just five compared to thirteen on Tuesday.

Despite the difficult weather, Madden remained focused on improving his ball striking, according to his own assessment. "I hit it actually a little better today," he said. "The putting still needs some work… but overall, ball striking is probably the best it's ever been at the moment." The Class A champion, who captured the Class A title as a senior at Cheverus College last fall and will attend Siena University, emphasized that maintaining his composure remains crucial. "It's been a lot of fun. I feel like every hole, I've at least got a really good chance to make birdie."

The temperature shift proved particularly taxing for several competitors. Jacob Moody and Jack Quinn, who sat in second place heading into Wednesday, found themselves struggling to maintain their rhythm. Moody posted a 1-over 73, while Quinn suffered three bogeys and a double bogey to finish 1 over. Both remain within striking distance of Madden's current lead of five shots.

Garrett Olson, who finished 1 over and tied for fourth overall at even par, described the atmosphere as demanding. "This place is a mental grind," he said. "You don't really have any holes off, any shots off." Despite the pressure, Olson noted his ability to stay focused despite being trailing.

Eli Spaulding, the two-time defending champion, experienced a rougher day entirely. His third-round effort left him two overs short at 2 over, dropping him to seventh place behind Ron Kelton. However, Spaulding expressed confidence heading into Thursday. "I feel actually fine going into tomorrow," he said. "I've been in this spot before and still won. There's certainly a low score out there, and if anyone can get it, I think it's me."

With only five rounds at even par or better remaining in the tournament, Madden's path to victory appears clear. The Woodlands Club player continues to build his lead, leaving his fellow competitors to scramble for points in the final stretch.