There’s some significant separation at the top of the leaderboard from the rest of the field. It obscures the tournament within the tournament here this week, which is as tight as it gets. Only 4 1/2 pounds separates sixth place Mark Menendez (22-7) and 47th place Bobby Lane (17-15) entering today.
The jockeying for position could play a big role in the final Angler of the Year standings. The lower you get in the top 51 still competing today, the tighter it gets. Less than a pound – 15 ounces to be exact – separates 31st place Ish Monroe (18-14) and 47th place Lane.
Yes, it’s way too early to look at the AOY standings, especially mid-way through the second tournament, when the points at Winyah Bay aren’t final yet. But it’s always interesting. The leaders in the AOY race at this time are as follows: 1. Marty Robinson and Brent Chapman with 208 points, 3. Randall Tharp with 206, 4. Keith Combs with 204, and Drew Benton with 201.