Aiden Knipfel’s putter betrayed him on Tuesday. But he recovered from a slow start on day two of the Class 3 Missouri state golf championship to record a top 20 finish.

The Mexico freshman carded an 84-86 166, ending up in a six way tie for 18th place on the links course at Crown Pointe Golf Club in Farmington. Christian Rischer of Father Tolton scorched the course, topping the leaderboard with a 71-73 144.

Second place was shared by Andrew Hennen of Lutheran South and Owen Swearingen from Nevada, both a distant eight strokes back.

Conditions proved more challenging than the course at times. On a sodden Monday round, Knipfel found his stride on the par 3 8th hole, which he birdied. He followed up with pars on 9 and 11, the latter a tough par 5.

The next day vicious gusts slashed across fairways. And Knipfel started off slowly. After the turn, however, he settled in and reeled off five pars in six holes.

After finishing round one 23rd on the board, Knipfel was able to make a run. Despite some bad luck on the greens, his tee shots were true and his short game kept him in play.

And he played smart, opting to lay up on Crown Pointe’s signature hole 5 rather than challenge the water with his second shot.