YORK — Ryan Prokay couldn't miss.

The Grove City High senior shot a 3-under-par 68 in the second round of the PIAA Boys Golf Championships at Heritage Hill Golf Resort Tuesday.

That helped Prokay shoot up from 15th place after the first round to finish tied for third with a two-round 143.

Brett Rinker of Slippery Rock also finished tied for third with a 1-over 143.

"I have kind of mixed feelings about it," Prokay said. "I hit the ball as well as I have in a long time (Monday), but I didn't make anything on the green."

Brandon Matthews of Pittston Area shot a second-round best score of 67 to win the state championship by three strokes.

The first-round leader, J.D. Dornes of Manheim Township, had a rough day and finished eighth.

Prokay put things together on Tuesday under difficult circumstances. The wind was howling and the pin placements were challenging.

"The first nine holes were interesting, to say the least," Prokay said. "There was a little bit of good and a little bit of bad."

The back nine — one of the most difficult stretches of golf in Pennsylvania — was all good. Prokay shot a 32 on the back, including a birdie, par and par on the final three holes.

"Those are the toughest three holes in the state," Prokay said.

Rinker, who came into the final round tied for second, played well, but he didn't make the long putts he made on Monday that put him into that position.

"I'm pleased with it, especially as a sophomore," Rinker said. "I didn't play as well as I think I could have."

Still, Rinker was one of only two sophomores in the top 12.

Rinker said he hit the ball solidly Tuesday, but he squandered several birdie opportunities that would have put him in prime position to win.

Rinker also said the pin placements were difficult in the final round.

"This course, though, is all about tee shots," Rinker said. "There are some goofy holes and not a lot of room for mistakes.

"Playing in the last group on the last day was kind of nerve-racking," he added. "But that's something I hope I will get used to. I know I'm capable of winning it."

Seneca Valley senior Mike McNulty finished 30th with a 155, and Slippery Rock senior Brian Gielser wound up with a 157 for 33rd place.

In the girls tournament, Butler junior Marissa DeCola placed eighth with a two-round score of 158.

Aurora Kan of Chichester, Gabrielle DiMarco of West Chester East and Stani Schivone of Bangor finished in a three-way tie with a 151.

Kan won in a three-hole playoff.

"I definitely could have played much better," DeCola said. "I expected a lot out of myself. The pin placements were tough and the greens were slick. They were hard to read."

DeCola finished strong with a par on both 15 and 16, and a birdie on 17.

"I enjoyed myself," DeCola said. "I just didn't make my birdie putts. I would just barely miss. I just had to laugh."