By Edward G. Robinson III, Staff Writer

The News and Observer

RALEIGH – Anytime Brad Fritsch opened a round with a bogey as a junior golfer, he expected to play well for the rest of the day.

It's a superstition that has carried over into Fritsch's professional career and one that has held true this week at The Rex Hospital Open.

"Doesn't make sense, does it?" Fritsch asked.

Maybe not, but it has worked.

Despite bogeys to start his first two rounds, the Holly Springs resident will enter the third round today at TPC Wakefield Plantation just two strokes behind leader Greg Owen, who shot a 3-under-par 68 to grab the lead. It is the second straight day Owen has had at least a share of the lead. Owen is at 9-under 133 for the tournament.

Jonathan Fricke, who shot a 5-under 66 Friday, survived the blazing heat and humidity to finish one stroke off the lead.

Fritsch and Fran Quinn are tied for third at 7 under.

A group of six other golfers, which includes North Carolina alumnus Ian Leggatt and former N.C. State golfer Garth Mulroy, are tied for fifth at 6 under.

Another five golfers are within striking distance of the lead at 5 under, which suggest this weekend's final two rounds will follow tournament tradition.

Since its inception in 1994, no player has won the Rex Open by more than two strokes -- with three events ending in a playoff.

Owen, a former PGA Tour player, holds the outright lead for the first time this season, with the field now cut down to 70.

Golfers who posted even par or better advanced into weekend play and are still eligible for the $90,000 winner's check.

"There's a lot of good players," said Owen, a native of Mansfield, England. "The course is there if you play good golf. The greens are big, the fairways are generous, you're going to give yourself chances. It's who can handle the pressure, the heat and the greens the best this weekend."

The Canadian-born Fritsch, who played his collegiate golf at Campbell, has played his way into contention with rounds of 66 and 69.

Swinging on his home course, the 30-year-old Fritsch has reached a comfort level with his game that has eluded him since he joined the Nationwide Tour last season.

On Friday, Fritsch showed patience on the 7,257-yard course, relying on crisp ball-striking and solid putting on the slick greens. Fritsch, who started at the 10th hole, had four birdies and two bogeys in his round, including a bogey-free second nine.

Fritsch said he kept his round together with a birdie at the 577-yard, par-5 18th. He closed strong with a birdie at the 454-yard fifth, smashing his 3-wood from the tee and knocking a 9-iron within 6 inches of the cup.

"It's an intimidating tee shot," Fritsch said of No. 5. "The fairway kind of runs off on you on the left. It's just one of those holes where four is a good score. To make birdie is a bonus."

Knowing this course like his backyard, it was an accomplishment on a difficult hole he felt positive about. Fritsch said he felt good about his entire round.

"I was hitting the shots that I wanted to," he said. "That's all you can ask for."

Fritsch joined the Nationwide Tour after six years on the Canadian Tour, which he described as a lower level circuit that prepared him to compete against some of the world's best.

As a rookie on the Nationwide Tour, Fritsch made just seven of 27 cuts and posted only one top- 25 showing. He earned a paltry $19,484 and finishing 172nd on the money list.

On paper, it might not look like progress, but he insists he is making strides with each event.

Fritsch works with coach Patrick Kelley, the director of golf instruction at TPC Wakefield Plantation, who also works with Nationwide Tour money leader David Mathis, a former Campbell golfer.

"He's got a lot of talent and has got a lot of fire power," said Kelley, adding he wants Fritsch to control his gifts.

Mathis, who shot a 2-over 144 and missed this weekend's cut, won his first tournament last month at the BMW Charity Pro-Am in South Carolina. Supporters at TPC Wakefield Plantation hoisted a banner at the clubhouse to celebrate the victory.

Fritsch wants his own banner.

"That would be nice," he said.

edward.robinson@newsobserver.com or (919) 829-4781

Note: Campbell University graduate (2000) Brad Fritsch finished the Rex Hospital Open in a tie for 12th place, his best showing on the Nationwide Tour in 2008.