MANLY Golf Club trainee Taylor Cooper has taken control of the PGA National Futures Championship heading into the final round.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Cooper’s third-round score of two-under par (70) at Ballarat Golf Club saw him drop to -3 for the tournament.
Tough conditions have seen the Futures effectively turn into a three-horse race, with Cooper leading Alex Pitty by three
shots, while 36-hole leader Sean Roach remains in striking distance at +1.
South Australian Brad Moules lies a distant fourth at +5.
The women in the field took advantage of moving day, with Carly Beck, from Wakehurst Golf Club, joining Eastwood’s Elissa-Jayne Orr in equal seventh at +8.
The top three are expected to fight for the $9900 first prize in favourable conditions on Friday.
“All the guys in my group played well, so I’m pretty happy to find myself in the lead,” Cooper said after the third round.
“The weather looks to be even better tomorrow, so I have no doubt the final round is going to be a close one.”
Making the biggest move of the day was Michael Smyth, from Royal Sydney Golf Club, who came from mid-field to find himself outright fifth after carding a round of 71 to leave him at +6 for the tournament.
Ballarat’s Andrew Cartledge is tied in 36th spot at +16 after rounds of 78, 77 and 77.
The public is invited to watch the final round of the championship at Ballarat Golf Club.
Leaders are scheduled to tee off at 9.50am.