Sisk’s 66 vaults him into the lead, O’Hair lurks one back

            Ellenville, NY-Geoff Sisk followed up his opening 6-under par 64 with a 4-under par 66 to assume a one shot lead over Tour money leader Sean O’Hair heading into the final round of the inaugural Nevele Grande Open. First round co-leaders Shannon Sykora and Scott Hawley fell off of their opening 7-under par 63 pace, turning in 1-over par 71 and 2-over par 72 efforts. Justin Goodhue made a mini-move with a 4-under par 66 and stands tied for third with Sykora at 6-under par.

            Sisk, who is currently second behind O’Hair on the money list, recorded four birdies against no bogies as he attempts to capture his first Cleveland triumph since the season opening Atkinson Open.

            As for tomorrow, the wily veteran will simply stick to his game plan and hope that it will result in his fourth win of the season. “I’m not really concerned with what anyone else is doing,” said Sisk, the two-time defending Cleveland Player of the Year.

            O’Hair, meanwhile, registered six birdies and a lone bogey en route to 65 and his fifth consecutive round under 70. Despite standing at 9-under par through two rounds, the 22-year-old is convinced that he can perform better. “There’s a 61 or 62 out there,” said O’Hair, who is seeking his third win of the season.

            Shannon Sykora, who occupies third position on the money list,-right behind O’Hair and Sisk-followed up his stellar first round 63 with a 1-over par 71 that included a 5-over par 40 on the front nine. “Every shot I hit on the front was terrible,” said Sykora, who, to his credit, rebounded with a 4-under par 31 to keep himself in the hunt.

            Sisk, O’Hair and Sykora are all seeking their second Cleveland triumph of the season.

            Justin Goodhue, a rookie on the Cleveland circuit, stands at 6-under par following his second round of 4-under par 66. Having made every cut this season, the Connecticut native is still looking for that first victory. “Hopefully I can break through,” Goodhue said when asked if he could pull out a four shot come from behind victory in the final round.

            Aaron Flink, also in the midst of his rookie season, carded rounds of 68 and 70 and sits at 2-under par. “I had it on cruise control,” said Flink, who broke through this week to make his first cut of the season.

            Having cleared that hurdle, Flink now has to deal with the crucible of a final round. When asked if the pressure will be any greater, Flink seemed relieved by the fact that he is now playing for a check instead of avoiding the cut, saying, “To be honest, I think it will be an easier round of golf to play.”

            In all, 36 players survived the two day cut, which fell at 2-over par 142. A $12,700 winner’s check and record purse of $73,800 is at stake in the final round.