Sykora leads at 12-under par, Smith fires 63 to tie Passaconaway course record
Litchfield, NH-On a record setting day, Shannon Sykora carded a bogey free round of 7-under par 64 for a two day total of 12-under par to take a three shot lead heading in to tomorrow’s final round of the Passaconaway Open. David Schuster also fired a 64 and is tied for second place with Jesse Smith, who notched ten birdies en route to tying the course record of 8-under par 63 which is coincidentally held by Brad Lehman, a former Cleveland Golf Tour player. First round leader Eric Egloff lies one shot further back at 8-under par while Noah Zelnik shares 7th place with Geoff Sisk, who moved up 10 places following a second round 66. “I can’t complain,” said Sykora, who recorded seven birdies, including five in a row beginning at the 10th hole. “I played solid.” As for tomorrow’s final round, he will not deviate from the game plan he utilized during the first two rounds. “I just have to do the same things I am doing.” Schuster, who happens to be sharing a hotel room with Sykora, plans to improve his chances tomorrow by altering tonight’s sleeping arrangements. “If I can keep him on the cot instead of the bed” I might have a chance,” joked Schuster. Smith, who became the fourth player in three Cleveland events to either tie or break the venue’s course record, is hoping that the momentum gained from his record tying round combined with a hot putter will carry him to the top of the leaderboard tomorrow. “I haven’t putted like that in a while,” said Smith, whose final round can not begin soon enough. “I have a lot of good feelings right now.” Despite the five shot deficit, Zelnik has seen too many come from behind victories to discount his chances for victory tomorrow. “I’ve seen guys come from 10 shots back,” said Zelnik, who has seen it all while playing on more than 15 professional tours. “Anything can happen.” 31 players survived the 36 hole cut, which fell at 2-under par, the lowest cut ever in the four year history of the tour. “This is the best year we have had and the scores prove that,” said official in charge Marc Goddu, who has been with the tour since its inception in 2001. |
