After 54 holes, Blayne Barber, of Lake City, leads the field of 72 players with a three-round total of 9-under par 207. Barber had a four stroke advantage going into the third round after posting scores of 67-69. Playing THE PLAYERS STADIUM course in the third round, Barber recorded a 36-35--71 to maintain his lead by three strokes.
Blake Soni, of Bradenton, sits three strokes back of Barber with a three-round total of 210. Soni carded a 2-under par 70 on THE PALYERS STADIUM course in round three to for the low round of the day. Tommy Parker, of Palm Beach is in third place with a three round total of 212. Kevin Phelan, of Saint Augustine moved up the leader board firing a 71 in the third round to move into fourth place. Defending Champion Judson Eustaquio, of Lake Worth carded a 74 in round three and is currently tied for 26th. Lance Gillett, of Cocoa Beach, provided the shot of the day with a Hole-in-One on the Par 3 13th hole on THE PLAYERS STADIUM Course.
The top 168 amateur golfers in the state will play 18 holes each on THE PLAYERS Stadium Course and Sawgrass Country Club (East/West) course on June 25-26. After 36 holes, the field will be cut to the low 70 and ties. The final 36 holes of the Championship will be played on THE PLAYERS Stadium Course on June 27-28. Before reaching the Championship, more than 1000 participants attempted to qualify at one of 16 sites across the state setting a new tournament record for entries filed.
Started in 1914, the FSGA State Amateur is the oldest continuous sporting event in the state as well as the largest amateur event in Florida. Past Amateur champions include Bob Murphy, Jerry Pate, and PGA Tour players David Peoples, Chris Couch, and Barry Cheesman.
Spectators and media are welcome to watch the state’s best amateur golfers compete at TPC Sawgrass and Sawgrass Country Club.
