Adam Cornelson looked relaxed and as comfortable as your grandpa in his favourite chair in Round 3 of the Bayview Place Island Savings Open presented by sa国际传媒 event at Uplands Golf Club on Saturday.
The 28-year-old Langley product recorded a 6-under 64 to take sole possession of top spot with a three-day total of 15-under 195 on a glorious afternoon in which he treated fans to some fine play on the Mackenzie Tour on PGA Tour sa国际传媒.
Cornelson made birdie at No. 6, eagled No. 7 and added a tap-in birdie at No. 8 on his way to the sparkling round. A bogey at the par-3 14th held him up temporarily as he three-putted the shadowy green. He earned the stroke right back with a clutch 10-foot birdie putt on the par-4 15th hole.
鈥淭hat was big, really big mentally,鈥� said Cornelson, who has a three-shot lead on American Jeff Rein of Cibolo, Texas, who shot 4-under 66 in the group ahead. 鈥淚 didn鈥檛 quite know where I stood.
鈥淚 knew I was on top, but not sure by how many. Any time you three-putt, if you can get it right back with a birdie, that鈥檚 huge for the last three holes.
鈥淚 definitely felt like I was in a bit of groove today, but I didn鈥檛 allow myself to think ahead because golf can happen quickly, as we all know,鈥� he said, explaining his calm play with cousin Tai Reynolds, as his caddie, and other family members watching. 鈥淚鈥檓 just going to try and keep doing what I鈥檓 doing, as repetitive as it sounds, but that鈥檚 the way it is.鈥�
Cornelson鈥檚 current 15-under score ties the Mackenzie Tour low for three rounds established by Brock Mackenzie and Chris Williams at the ATB Financial Classic in Alberta in 2014 and 2015, respectively.
He is tied for second in putts per round (27) and tied for fourth in greens hit in regulation (79.6 per cent), which all adds up to the showing so far as he tries to become the first left-hander to win on tour since 2007 (Adam Bland).
Brad Benjamin, of Rockford, Illinois, played in the final group with Cornelson as the two started the day at 9-under. Benjamin struggled to a 3-over 73 and now sits nine shots back, tied for 11th place.
Taylor Moore, of Edmond, Oklahoma, turned in a tidy 5-under 65 to move into third place at a 200 total. Making his pro debut, the Arkansas Razorback headed north after the NCAA championships and is making good on his time in sa国际传媒.
鈥淚t鈥檚 been a quick transition, but it鈥檚 been good. A lot of guys, they want to make the cut or be in contention and I just wanted to do that, keep playing golf and try to execute my game plan,鈥� he said.
Round 3 was a beautiful sunny day, but swirling winds did have an effect along the well-manicured Uplands course, especially on the front nine holes.
Rein started the day one shot back of Cornelson and Benjamin and he recorded seven birdies and three bogeys on the round.
鈥淚 like chasing,鈥� Rein said. 鈥淚 don't have to sleep on the lead, so I can come out tomorrow and fire and put on a little pressure. Whoever has the lead, if he goes out and plays a good round, then I can鈥檛 catch him. If not, I鈥檒l have a chance to win.鈥�
Hunter Hamrick, of Montgomery, Alabama, was first out on the day and played alone because of the odd number of golfers remaining in the field. He toured Uplands in just two hours and 47 minutes and shot a 6-under 64 and sits in a tie for fourth with six others at 7-under 203.
Uplands assistant pro Ben Griffin, the only Islander to make the cut, was 2-over 72 on the day and is 1-under 209 in total to sit tied for 40th.
The fourth and final round goes today at Uplands with first tee times at 7:24 a.m. Cornelson and Rein start at 12:20 p.m.
The champion will take home $31,500 of the $175,000 purse.
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