Berthoud, Colo. — Nelson Ledesma backed up his first-round 65 at the TPC Colorado Championship at Heron Lakes with a second-round 3-under 69 to reach 10-under through 36 holes. The Argentinian leads by two entering Saturday’s third round.

“It was nice to finish strong yesterday and then have the early tee time today,” said Ledesma, who finished his round before the lightning delay. “It was easier for me to continue my confidence into today. I didn’t feel as good as yesterday, but it was still a good round overall.”

With four birdies in his first 10 holes, Ledesma reached 11-under before a bogey at the 11th and seven consecutive pars halted his momentum. He is coming off a T13 finish at last week’s LECOM Health Challenge – a tournament he won in 2018 – and has tallied six top-25s this season.

“Last week I was confident going in … you have to be confident somewhere where you’ve won,” said Ledesma. “My overall game is really good right now, a lot better than it was a few weeks ago. This course sets up really well for me. It’s nice and long so I’m able to use driver a lot. It fits my game off of the tee and is a perfect course for me.”

Despite winning in his rookie year last year, Ledesma has enjoyed a much more consistent year in 2019. His lone win was his only top-10 in 2018, while he has four top-10s thus far this season. A three-way tie for fourth or better would lock up his PGA TOUR card this week for the 2019-20 season.

The 28-year-old referenced a friendship with former major champion and fellow Argentinian Ángel Cabrera on the course this year.

“I actually played a practice round with Ángel Cabrera on Tuesday,” said Ledesma. “He helped me quite a bit and has been a great leader and resource for me throughout my career. I’m proud that we’re both from Argentina and appreciate the help that he has given me.”

TPC Colorado is the longest course the Korn Ferry Tour has played in its 30-year history at 7,991 yards. The back nine is more than 200 yards longer than the front, highlighted by the 773-yard 13th (par-5) and the 273-yard 14th (par-3).

Joseph Winslow carded his second consecutive 68 on Friday to reach 8-under, two shots back of Ledesma. After making the turn at 3 under on the more difficult back nine, Winslow tallied birdies at Nos. 3, 5 and 6 (offset by bogeys at Nos. 1 and 8) to rise to second after the second round. The 26-year-old ranks 15th on Tour in driving distance and has averaged 341 yards per drive this week at TPC Colorado.

“I was really excited to get out here this week,” said Winslow. “Even last week I was already hearing really good things about this course and sure enough it’s one of my favorite places we’ve been to this year. I think it suits my game really well. You have to hit it a long way and it’s kind of a fader’s golf course. I like to hit big bomb fades off of the tee.”

John Oda made a late run just before dusk to reach 8 under after the second round. The UNLV alum overcame a double bogey at the 18th with six birdies and an eagle at the par-4 sixth after driving the green.

“On No. 6 I hit it to about six feet and made the eagle putt somehow which was pretty cool,” said Oda. “It was probably a little over 370 yards to the hole, downhill and downwind, and it just landed perfectly.”

The cutline fell at 1-under 143 with 73 professionals advancing to weekend play. Third-round tee times will run from approximately 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Saturday off of the first and 10th tees.