TORONTO – American Gene Elliott edged closer to winning his second Canadian Men’s Senior Championship title on Thursday. The West Des Moines, IA, native fired a 4-under par 67 to sit 9-under (204) at Cedar Brae Golf Club and take a commanding 6-shot lead into tomorrow’s final round.
Elliott, who plays out of Glen Oaks Country Club, has enjoyed great success north of the border. The 57-year old won the Canadian Men’s Senior Championship in 2017 and finished third in 2018.
“Well, there’s still a lot of golf left – 18 holes – and no lead is big enough as far as I’m concerned,” said Elliott following his round. “Cedar Brae is a tough golf course; you’ve got to stay below the hole. If you can putt well, you can do well.”
Elliott is playing better than “well”. He’s one of just two players to sit under par after three rounds. Sandy Harper of Nanaimo, B.C., shot 69 Thursday and sits second at -3 (210).
?? Gene Elliott holds a 6-shot lead heading into the final round of the #CDNSenior.
Full scores: https://t.co/i9xB3XQWoT pic.twitter.com/41fb3MmrnM
— Golf Canada (@GolfCanada) September 12, 2019
Tom Cameron of Oromocto, N.B.; Ashley Chinner of Brooklin, Ont.; Doug Hanzel of Savannah, GA,; and Lars Melander of Oakville all have a share of 3rd at 1-over par.
A 65-and-over Super Senior Championship is running concurrently throughout the championship. After 54 holes of play, Melander leads the pack at +1 (214).
“I’ve kept my head down this week and just tried to play as good as I can. Not get too excited or too down,” stated Melander. “That’s why I am where I am. Overall, I’m pretty pleased.”
Melander holds a 4-shot lead over Frank Van Dornick ofCamrose, Alta., who is 5-over (218). Paul Simson of Raleigh, N.C. is third at 6-over (219).
The final round will begin Friday at 8:30 a.m. EDT.
The individual champion receives an exemption into the 2020 U.S. Senior Amateur championship to be contested at The Country Club of Detroit, in Grosse Pointe Farms, Mich.
2019 CANADIAN MEN’S SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND 3 LEADERS
- Gene Elliott, West Des Moines, IA, *71-66-67-204 -9
2. Sandy Harper, Nanaimo, BC, *72-69-69-210 -3
3. Tom Cameron, Oromocto, NB, *70-73-71-214 +1
3. Ashley Chinner, Brooklin, ON, *75-67-72-214 +1
3. Doug Hanzel, Savannah, GA, *74-70-70-214 +1
3. Lars Melander, Oakville, ON, *74-67-73-214 +1
2019 CANADIAN MEN’S SUPER-SENIOR DIVISION ROUND 3 LEADERS
- Lars Melander, Oakville, ON, *74-67-73-214 +1
2. Frank Van Dornick, Camrose, AB, *75-69-74-218 +5
3. Paul Simson, Raleigh, NC, *76-71-72-219 +6
4. Doug Roxburgh, Vancouver, BC, *74-75-77-226 +13
4. Alan Stewart, Grande Praire, AB, *78-74-74-226 +13
Additional information, including a full list of competitors and scores can be found here.