Nationwide Noise: Gallo tied for 9^th, Fitzgerald tied for 23^rd

Cleveland stars enter Reese’s Classic final round with a lot on the line
July 4^th by Dom Dastoli

            Hershey, PA-As much as Kyle Gallo and Jesse Fitzgerald are downplaying the importance of tomorrow’s final round in the Nationwide Tour’s Reese’s Classic, deep down they have to know what is at stake.

For Gallo, an exceptional final round could result in a victory worth $81,000 and immediate status on the Nationwide Tour. Despite the added pressure of being in contention, he remains confident in his abilities, saying, “I understand how to win golf tournaments. You just have to man up,” Gallo said.

For Fitzgerald, who is making his Nationwide Tour debut, a top 25 finish will automatically qualify him for next week’s event, his primary goal entering this week.

             Entering the third round with all of these distractions lurking in the back of their minds, they rebounded nicely from a disappointing second day to card matching 1-under par rounds of 70 on a Hershey Golf Club course which is regarded as one of the most difficult stops on tour.

            Gallo, who scorched the front nine in 6-under par 30 in the second round to briefly tie for the lead, began his third round quietly with five consecutive pars before making birdie at the par five, 6^th hole. He then stumbled with bogies on the 7^th and 8^th holes, however, to make the turn in 1-over par 37. Gallo’s fortunes changed quickly on the inward nine, though, as he holed out his approach from the fairway for eagle on the 420 yard par four, 11^th hole then parred his way home for a back nine 33.

            Fitzgerald, meanwhile, began the day in a tie for 34^th place. Three birdies and one unfortunate double bogey later, though, he managed to climb 11 places on the leaderboard. Through three days, Fitzgerlald, has leaned heavily on his ball striking. He is averaging over 300 yards off the tee and is hitting over 65% of the greens in regulation.

            As for tomorrow’s final round, both players are focusing their attention solely on playing a good round of golf, regardless of how that will affect where they could be playing next week. “I’m not even thinking about the outside distractions,” said Gallo, who will enter tomorrow only five shots behind leader Ben Bates.