Around the Green

The latest golf-related news, notes, and feature stories from the TGA.

Anderson Holds Lead Heading Into Final Round

Anderson Holds Lead Heading Into Final Round

(Houston, TX) Fifty-seven golfers entered today’s third
round of the 104th Texas Amateur presented by Insperity looking to
make the most of what many call moving day. With only two rounds left to stake
their claim at the H.L. Edwards trophy, many players knew that Saturday’s round
would be incredibly important in placing themselves in a position to make a
charge on Sunday. Continuing to live up to its reputation, Lakeside Country
Club once again provided players with an immaculate course on which to compete
and score with several players taking full advantage during Saturday’s third
round.

Round two co-leaders Doug Manor and Nathan Anderson found
themselves paired together in today’s final group which set things up for an
exciting day. It was a back and forth battle for the entire round in which both
players relinquished and regained the lead several times. Manor was the first
to falter after an errant second shot on the second hole left him a 40 yard
pitch under trees. Unable to get it up and down, Anderson took a one shot lead heading
into the par 5, fifth. Faced with a lengthy par putt on the par three, fourth
hole, Anderson ran his putt just past the hole which put both he and Manor both
at nine under par for the tournament. The back and forth play continued through
the front nine with Manor taking a one shot lead after rolling in a birdie putt
on the ninth. Making the turn Anderson caught fire carding birdies at holes 11,
13, 15, 17, and 18. With only one lone bogey on the back nine, Anderson closed
his round with a four under par 32 giving him a tournament total of eleven
under par, 205. Manor played well on his closing nine posting eight pars and a
birdie on his way to a third round of one over par, 73. Manor’s three day total
of 207 places him in second place two shots behind Anderson heading into
tomorrow’s final round.

Several players took advantage of moving day with strong
performances. Scott Newell, who competes at Oral Roberts University, carded the
low round of the day firing a six under par, 66. After making bogey on his
second hole of the day, Newell found magic carding birdies on three of his next
four holes. Another bogey on the par 4, tenth, didn’t faze Newell as he then
rallied off five more birdies coming in, four of which came on his last four
holes of the day. His 208 total places Newell in third place heading into
Sunday. Adding to the collegiate players making a move up the leaderboard on
Saturday was University of Texas golfer Kramer Hickok. Hickok posted a third
round of 68 which included six birdies and just two bogeys. His tournament
total of seven under par places him in a tie for fourth with SFA player Luke
Sheehan and University of Houston golfer Wesley McClain. In all, twenty-three
players find themselves in red figures heading into tomorrow’s final round
which promises to be full of spectacular golf.