Miami, Florida (August 2, 2012) – Byron Smith of the United States remains in the lead at 9-under par 135, following the conclusion of the second round of PGA TOUR Latinoamérica’s Final Qualifying Tournament at the Doral’s Great White Course.

There’s a six-way tie for second place (six-under) shared by Americans Marcus Manley, Justin Bates, Ryan Thornberry, Bronson Burgoon, Venezuela’s Felipe Velázquez and Mexico’s Samuel Chávez. One stroke back at five-under par, there’s a two-way tie for the eighth spot featuring the duo of Spain’s Ramón Bescansa and Brazil’s Philippe Gasnier.

The first cut came at 120 players, who are scheduled to start the third round at 11:20 a.m.  Players will play off of split tees with the highest scores going off first. The other half, which features the players with the lowest scores, will begin at 3:50 p.m. Once the third round is completed a cut to the top 70 and ties will be made.

This qualifying event provides 15 fully exempt spots and 10 conditionally exempt spots on the PGA TOUR Latinoamérica inaugural season. A berth on PGA TOUR Latinoamérica will provide competitors in the region the opportunity to earn Web.com Tour status. The 2012 season leading money winner will be fully exempt for the 2013 Web.Com Tour, while the next four players will receive highly placed conditional status for that same season.

Miscellaneous:

Tai Gyu Kang and Aaron Fuller withdrew during the second round.