BELLEFONTE, Ky. — The day didn’t start well and it didn’t get a lot better.

Ironton golfer Nathan Kerns hit his tee shot off No. 1 out of the fairway and into a sand trap. He managed to finish with a par, but he had a bogey on the next hole when he missed a putt for par.

By the end of the day’s 18 holes, Kerns found himself with a score of 80 at the American Junior Golf Association’s Natural Resources Partners Bluegrass Junior Tournament at the Bellefonte Country Club.

Kerns had a chance to make a move on the leaders who struggled on the second day. However, Kerns had his own struggles and finished with a two-day 151 total.

The performance dropped Kerns from a ninth-place down to No. 36 along with six others.

Justin Thomas of Goshen, Ky., who had a 6-under round of 64 to open the tournament, remained in first place by five strokes but shot a 72 for a two-day 136 total.

Matt Buse of Loveland remained second, but tied with Ryan Gay of Pittston, Maine, at 141.

The third and final round is today.