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MANCHESTER — He had just put together the day’s lowest round, but Fletcher Babcock didn’t give it rave reviews.

“Honestly, I hit it much better (Monday),” he said.

It would be hard to tell, looking at the scorecard. Babcock shot 7-under 63 at Augusta Country Club on Tuesday, putting him at 12 under for the tournament and giving him a three-shot lead entering the final round on Wednesday.

Nicholas Pandelena and Topsham’s Caleb Manuel shot matching 66s and were tied for second at 9 under.

Here are five takeaways from the second round.

Game comes together at right time for Babcock

Babcock said that in the days leading up to the Maine Open, his putter was “not cooperating,” and his swing started “feeling funky,” so he sent a message to his caddy, Haydon Lockhart.

“I texted him Friday, (saying) ‘The swing is two days away,'” Babcock said.

Right on cue, it’s come together. Babcock, of Danielson, Connecticut, has carded 11 birdies and an eagle against one bogey. He entered Tuesday with a share of the lead but separated himself with a flawless round that included five birdies and an eagle on the 18th hole.

“I think I missed one green,” he said. “I putted well, wedges were pretty good, driver was solid, much better than (Monday). I wasn’t really thinking about the score. Just trying to make birdies and see what happens.”

Babcock finished fifth last year. He’s not putting pressure on himself as he tries to close it out.

“For me, it’s just sticking with what I’m trying to do,” he said. “The score is what it is at the end of the day.”

Manuel, Pandelena providing pressure

Manuel, a three-time Maine Amateur champion who turned pro in 2024 after his college career ended, and Pandelena of Atkinson, New Hampshire, will try to keep up with Babcock in the final group.

Manuel made four birdies in his bogey-free round to finish the day in striking range. He’s chasing his first professional win.

“I was starting to hit it better toward the end and didn’t make any putts, versus the front nine, I was hitting it not so good and making putts,” he said. “But overall, I haven’t been playing a lot of tournaments, so I feel good to be back in the mix.”

Pandelena got off to a great start Tuesday, with birdies on the fourth, fifth and sixth holes to find a quick rhythm.

“I’ve picked good targets, I’ve picked the right club a lot of times, so I’d say my management around the golf course has been really good,” he said. “I’ve played pretty decent in (this) tournament, but it would be nice to finish one off.”

Keeping pace

One of Pandelena’s playing partners, Jared Nelson, had the day’s second-lowest round with a 5-under 65. Playing with Pandelena, he said, raised his game.

“Oh, 100%,” said Nelson, who was in fifth place at 6 under. “The momentum, just feeding off each other. No doubt about it.”

Nelson said he was frustrated with his putting Monday and practiced after his round to get a better feel for Augusta’s greens.

“I think my speed got a little better,” he said. “I was probably more comfortable.”

Another Maine Am champ joins the fray

Patrick Healy was fourth at 7 under, and Gavin Ives of Canada was in sixth place at 5 under. Two Maine amateurs, Andrew Slattery of Falmouth and Luke Ruffing of Sidney, were tied for first among amateurs and seventh overall at 4 under.

Slattery, the 2014 Maine Amateur champion, put himself in the running with a 66, tied with Manuel and Pandelena for the third-lowest round of the day.

“I just hit the ball well again today, and actually made a couple of putts today,” said Slattery. “I really only pay attention to the amateur side of it. I’m just trying to come in the top three of the amateur side of it, that’s the goal.”