Olathe ? The last time Tyler Shelton held amateur playing status was in 1995 at the Kansas Amateur, the same year he graduated from Kansas University.

Almost a decade later, little has changed. Shelton is back at the Amateur, this time the 94th annual edition at Shadow Glen Golf Club. And, again, Shelton finds his name near the top.

For the last five years, Shelton was a touring pro in Canada.

“I’ve always kind of had the goal that I was going to win this tournament,” said Shelton, who, after a two-day score of 139, sits one stroke behind leader Jesse Schulte of Hutchinson. Current KU golfer Kevin Ward is third at 143.

This time, Shelton, a 32-year-old insurance salesman for MSR Benefit in Mission, vows he won’t let the title slip away.

“I’ve always had a little thirst for this title,” said Shelton, a Fairway native who was walking away with the 1995 crown at his home course, Kansas City Country Club, before slipping in the semifinals. “It’s fun, but it’s a lot different this time.

“I don’t want to say it’s just a hobby, because it’s not, but I don’t feel the pressure I felt on the tour,” Shelton said. “I’m out there shooting 69-70, which would make the cut in the pros but only put me in the middle of the pack. Here, I’m sitting in second place.”

But Shelton said he definitely was not satisfied with his current standing because “you never know” who will prevail as today’s 64-seeded match-play portion of the tournament begins.

“I might have gotten beaten today if I played somebody hot,” Shelton said. “You just never know in a match-play format.”

KU coach Ross Randall said it was fun to watch some of his former players still “show they have some of their stuff.

“Watching a guy like Tyler Shelton this week gave me a smile,” Randall said. “Obviously, these guys aren’t out there playing every day like they used to, but it’s nice to see they can still crank it up once and a while.”

Shelton said he was glad his golf career was not done, even if his pro days were behind him.

“It’s fun to get out here and see all the guys with KU bags, and playing with some of my former teammates,” said Shelton, who won the Kansas City Masters earlier this spring and missed qualifying for the U.S. Open by two shots.

“Just getting back in the swing of tournament golf has been a lot more fun than I thought it would.”