WILMINGTON — Amory Davis once seemed to have a good golf future waiting in front of him.

The former Tatnall standout won the DIAA individual state title in 2005 before going onto a good career at the University of Virginia.

But a back injury in 2013 changed all that.

According to a story on DSGA.com, Davis went eight years without playing a competitive round of golf.

So it was pretty satisfying for the 35-year-old Sante Fe, N.M. resident to come back to Delaware and take the lead halfway through the 73rd annual DSGA Delaware Amateur on Tuesday.

Davis shot a 68 to lead the field with a two-day total of six-under-par 138 at White Clay Country Club.

He’s just ahead of first-round leader Evan Barbin of Chesapeake Bay Golf Club. Barbin, who shot fired a 71 on Tuesday to sit at 140.

The cut came at 15-over-par with 39 players advancing to Wednesday’s final two rounds.

“I wasn’t sure if I would ever play golf again.” Davis was quoted in the DSGA story “Playing well used to wear on me a lot. Today, I was excited to have a beer with my dad after the round. Perspective matters a lot.

“My wife, my family and my business are the three most important things in my life and learning that has made golf so much easier. The outcome and result doesn’t matter as much to me anymore.”

Davis won the Delaware Amateur in 2007.

Following Davis and Barbin, Kevin Lydon and Nick Ciocca are tied for third at 144. After carding a 77 on Monday, Lydon came back with a 67 — the low round of the tournament — on Tuesday.

The Delaware Amateur champion earns a spot into this year’s U.S. Amateur at Hazeltine National Golf Club.

Davis, though, said his only goal is to enjoy playing golf.

“I have a great life outside of golf,” he was quoted. “I’m not here to win a trophy, I am here to have fun. My comfort zone used to be hitting it hard. Now that has changed to being more in control. Tomorrow will require a lot of strategic golf. I am excited for whatever comes.”

GOLF

73rd annual DSGA Delaware Amateur

WILMINGTON - The scores after Tuesday's second round of the DSGA Delaware Amateur, played at White Clay Creek Country Club: