Markham, Ont. – Canada’s Austin Connelly shot a third-round 2-under 70 at Angus Glen Golf Club to sit within striking distance of medal podium contention in the Pan Am Games Golf Competition at Angus Glen Golf Club in Markham, Ont.
Connelly, 18, made an early charge up the leaderboard, at one point sitting solo second at the turn. His lone blemish on an otherwise steady day would be a double-bogey on the par-four 11th hole at Angus Glen Golf Club. The first year member of Golf Canada’s National Amateur Squad heads into Sunday’s final round with a share of third with two other golfers at 7-under par, four shots off the lead.
Canadian Garrett Rank of Elmira, Ont., battled tough in his third round, carding a quadruple bogey, two bogeys and six birdies to finish even-par for the second consecutive day and 7-over through three rounds at Angus Glen, good for a share of 20th position. Rank’s play has been consistent except for blow-up holes in each of tournament rounds round including three triples and a quad over 54 holes.
Second-round leader Felipe Aguilar of Chile shot a three-under 69 (11-under through 54 holes) to head into Sunday’s final round with a two-shot lead over Colombia’s Marcelo Rozo, who tied the course-record 63 to sit two shots back at 9-under. Canada’s Austin Connelly is tied for third at 7-under with Argentina’s Tommy Cocha and American Lee McCoy.
Click here to the see the complete men’s individual leaderboard
In the women’s individual competition, Canadian Lorie Kane followed up a disappointing 83 on Friday with 3-over 75 to climb into a share of 20th position at 21-over through 54 holes.
Sitting atop the women’s leaderboard is American Andrea Lee who shot a two-under 70 Saturday to climb to nine-under for the tournament, good for a two-shot lead over Columbia’s Mariajo Uribe while Julieta Granada of Paraguay is solo third at 5-under.
Click here see the complete women’s individual leaderboard
In the overall mixed team competition, Canada moved up two position into 9th spot through 54 holes. The team competition counts the top male and female score each day from each of the participating countries.
Click here to see the complete overall team leaderboard
Due to the expected inclement weather Sunday, July 19, final round tee times for the Pan Am Games will be off split tees starting at 8 A.M. Players will play from both the 1st and 10th holes. Regulation play is estimated to be completed by 3 P.M. (followed by any required playoffs). Medal ceremonies will commence immediately following the end of competition, if the weather conditions are suitable.
THIRD-ROUND QUOTES FROM TEAM CANADA:
Austin CONNELLY (CAN)
On his scoring on the par-fives this week:
“I really attribute that, more to (the fact that) I switched wedges right before the week started. I had ’em shipped to Angus Glen. And I changed wedge shafts, and these wedges have a little more feel at the bottom. They’re a little bit heavier. And I have much better feel. Right now, if I have anything inside about 80 yards, pretty much all week, I’ve been inside four or five feet.”
On being three shots off the lead:
“It’s just a golf tournament; it’s another round tomorrow. Come out and hit all the shots as good as you can. Add ’em up at the end and see where you are.”
On the fan support:
“Ya, it’s pretty special to have all the fans out here. It’s been a great experience the last couple days. I’ve gotten a lot of support, which is always nice. To hear the cheers…it’s really a great atmosphere here.”
On his performance so far:
“I feel like I’ve played solid. I can definitely hit the ball better. I need to ball-strike better to have a chance to win tomorrow (July 19). But I’m really rolling it well right now. I feel like if I can just give myself a lot of opportunities, I feel like I can make a lot of birdies.”
Garrett RANK (CAN)
On his first three rounds of the tournament:
“It’s been an adventurous first three days; it’s really been feast or famine but a lot of great golf, just two or three bad holes.”
“I had a good game plan coming into this week and felt comfortable, just four bad holes; three triple bogeys and a quadruple bogey, quickly that’s thirteen over… you just can’t make big numbers.”
On his quadruple bogey on hole #4 today:
“I got off to a really good start and didn’t really hit a bad shot and then just got caught in the long grass and took a bunch to get it out of there. It was nice to fight back… it could have been a really good day, a lot of good golf and nothing to be discouraged about.”
Lorie KANE (CAN)
On her bounce back round of 3-over 75, eight shots better than Friday’s second round 83:
“I just felt a little more comfortable. I did some work last night. I probably hit the middle of the clubface a few more times today. (On the greens) I never holed anything today, really. But felt good about most things, so we’ll just build from there.”
On her mindset for tomorrow:
“Go out and entertain. That’s what I do. I play golf for a living and I’m very lucky to be able to do that. And to have the Pan American Games and be a part of that here in Toronto, with the great fans and the support that we’re getting, and all the people in orange t-shirts that are the support team around the Pan Ams. It’s pretty special. I think the city’s done a great job.”