Jeff Coston in position to win 20th NW major at Washington Open Invitational

No golfer has been more prolific in the biggest tournaments in the Pacific Northwest PGA Section than Blaine’s Jeff Coston.

His 19 major victories in the Northwest stand alone as the most dominant run in the region’s history.

And he has a golden opportunity to pick up No. 20.

Coston, the 60-year-old teaching professional out of Semiahmoo Golf Resort, fired the lowest round of the week at the 90th Washington Open Invitational — a 7-under-par 65 — Tuesday at Meridian Valley Country Club in Kent.

Coston’s two-round total of 8-under 136 is two strokes better than Erik Hanson (70), who is at 138. Shane Prante (69), the professional at Fort Steilacoom, is three shots off the pace at 139.

It’s been a while since Coston won a Northwest major. His last title came at the 2010 Washington Open Invitational at Glendale Country Club — his fourth career win at the state open.

Coston recorded eight birdies and an eagle during his second round.

Hanson, an amateur golfer as well as a former pitcher with the Seattle Mariners, has been knocking on the door at this tournament for years. He has twice been a runner-up (2007, 2013), and tied for third in 2009.

The last amateur to win was Kent’s Josh Immordino in 2007 at Canterwood Golf and Country Club in Gig Harbor.

Prante, a graduate of Black Hills High School who was a three-time All-American at Saint Martin’s University, was in the final group two years ago. He shot 73 in the final round during that tournament, and tied for fourth behind his playing partner, John Cassidy of Yelm.

Defending champion Darren Black is at 1-under 143, tied for 11th seven strokes behind Coston.

This story was originally published May 17, 2016 at 8:31 PM with the headline "Jeff Coston in position to win 20th NW major at Washington Open Invitational."