Despite some wayward tee shots, University Place’s Michael Putnam maintained his two-shot advantage after the third round Saturday of the Web.com Tour’s Albertsons Boise Open.
Putnam managed to piece together a 3-under-par round of 68 that put him at 18-under heading into today’s final round at Hillcrest Country Club in Boise. The first day co-leader and outright leader after the second day established a tournament record for 54 holes with his 195 total.
“I knew it was going to be tough,” said Putnam. “They tucked some pins today. It was a tough day. I just grinded it out.”
Putnam was two strokes ahead of a group of five players, which included the tour’s leading money winner, Casey Whittenberg, and Luke Guthrie, who had the day’s best round of 9-under 62. It was the third straight day that a 62 was posted.
“You know on this course you’re going to have to attack. You can’t shoot even-par and win tomorrow,” said Putnam, who held the 54-hole lead at the Utah Championship two months ago but wound up tied for second. “Somebody’s going to shoot 6 or 7 under which means I’ve got to shoot 4 or 5 under. I’ve got to attack too.”
Olympia’s Andres Gonzales fell victim to a double bogey on the finishing hole for a 1-over round of 72 and a 5-under total.
S. KOREAN IN CONTROL
Jiyai Shin opened a five-stroke lead at the Women’s British Open in Hoylake, England, with an 8-under 64 in the wind-delayed second round.
The 24-year-old South Korean, who won the 2008 event at Sunningdale, had a 9-under 135 total after hitting all 18 greens in regulation and needing only 28 putts. The 64 is the lowest competitive round at Hoylake, breaking the mark of 65 set by four players in the 2006 British Open.
South Korea’s Inbee Park was second after a 68. Australia’s Karrie Webb, the tournament winner in 1995, 1997 and 2002, was another stroke back along with Japan’s Mika Miyazato. They shot 70.
Play was called off Friday because of high wind. The final two rounds are set for today.
ELSEWHERE
Bill Glasson moved closer to his first Champions Tour victory, shooting a 7-under 65 to take a four-stroke lead into the final round of the inaugural Hawaii Championship in Kapolei. … South Africa’s Garth Mulroy shot a 6-under 66 to take a one-stroke lead over Spain’s Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano after three rounds of the Italian Open in Fiano, Italy.
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