PORTLAND – Tom Johnson and Jerry DiPhilippo walked off the final green of the second round of the 86th Maine Open about 20 minutes apart Thursday saying pretty much the same thing

“I actually hit the ball better today than I did (Wednesday),” DiPhilippo said.

“I hit the ball as well as, maybe even better than, (Wednesday),” Johnson said.

Those comments only told half the story, however. Despite their ball-striking capabilities, neither golfer was able to match Wednesday’s outstanding first round scores at Riverside Golf Course. But then, neither were most of the front-runners from the first round.

Amateur Shawn Warren of Windham tallied five birdies on the front nine and shot a round-low 66 Thursday for a share of the lead with Todd Westfall.

Warren and Westfall, who shot a 69 on Thursday, top the leader board at 9-under 135.

Casey Bourque, a Biddeford native competing on the Canadian PGA Tour this year, is a shot behind the leaders along with Angel Franco of Paraguay.

DiPhilippo carded a 71 Thursday and moved into a third-place tie with Rich Parker at 7-under 137.

Johnson, a pro out of Blissful Meadows Golf Club in Rhode Island, fired an eight-under 64 on Wednesday and took a two stroke lead into the second round but shot a 74 Thursday to fall back into a tie for fourth place at 6-under 138 with Ryan Ouellette.

Johnson parred the first 10 holes, bogeyed the 11th and 12th, birdied the 13th and bogeyed the 15th, but the biggest frustration was yet to come.

“I had it six to eight feet the last three holes for birdie, and I didn’t make any,” said Johnson, who scored five birdies on the back nine Wednesday but just one on Thursday.

Johnson had 34 putts on Thursday, 10 more than on Wednesday, precisely the difference in his final score from the first round to the second.

“I think I hit the first 10 greens,” he said. “Maybe those birdies will come back (Friday).”

How quickly the rain comes back may determine whether the 54-hole tournament is completed today.

Wednesday’s play was delayed for 90 minutes due to heavy morning thunderstorms. Thursday’s round went off as scheduled despite some heavy downpours in the morning.

“It was a little more windy today than it was yesterday,” said DiPhilippo. “The course held the water great. The greens were good. There were still birdies out there.”

Spring Meadows pro Nick Glicos tied Warren’s low score for the day with a 66 and sits alone in fifth place at 3-under 139.

In all, 68 golfers, 41 pros and 27 amateurs, advanced to today’s final round, which has a first-place prize of $6,500.