PGA West's Stadium Course
(La Quinta Resort Photo)
LA QUINTA, CA (April 6, 2018) - On Friday the leaderboard of the Golfweek Senior Amateur spread out a bit with Scott Smith surging to the lead. Heading into the final round at PGA West's Stadium Course Smith is 2-under and one shot ahead of Jeff New.
The day began with three players sharing the lead at even-par but as the day stretched on Smith was able to move in front with a torrid stretch of golf over the course of the last six holes. Even-par after a bogey on the 12th, Smith found his form down the stretch playing bogey-free golf to the house with three birdies falling on Nos. 13, 14 and 18.
Overall, Smith who shared third at the 2016 Golfweek Senior Amateur, birdied five-times and bogeyed twice on his way to a 3-under 69 that followed up a first round 1-over 73.
Jeff New carded a 2-under 70 to move to 1-under and second place, Stephen Sterrett at even-par is third, first round co-leader Steven Hudson sits in fourth at 1-over while Chris Hartenstein and Peter DeTemple are 2-over in fifth.
In the Super Senior Division the race is tight as well with Robert Hess, 4-under, pacing the field by one. Hess opened with a 1-over 73 before rebounding on Friday with the round of the tournament, a 5-under 67. Hess blitzed the course on Friday rolling in eight birdies and the tally could have been better had it not been for a triple-bogey and a bogey.
Jeff Burda, 2-under is second, while Paul Schlachter sits in third at 1-under.
The Legends Division continues to be led by the 2-under John Richart. When play resumes on Saturday Richart will hold a five shot advantage over John Seehausen at 3-over and Skip Snow who is 4-over in third.
ROUND ONE RECAP
Day one of the Golfweek Senior Amateur produced a crowded leaderboard with three players currently sharing the lead at even-par.
The lead trio at PGA West's Stadium Course with still two days remaining is Lawarence Field, Murphey Mitchell and Steve Hudson.
Field, who partnered with Hudson to win the 2017 Tutwiler Four-Ball, moved to the top of the leaderboard with a three birdie, three bogey round. 2-over after 11 holes Field birdies Nos. 12 and 13 in succession before closing with five straight pars. With two AmateurGolf.com Senior Ranking top-10 finishes already this season Field is looking for his first ranking win.
With three top-10 finishes at the Golfweek Senior Amateur since 2013, Mitchell also birdied three-times and bogeyed three-times. His final birdie rolled in on the 17th.
Coming off a year that included two wins and 13 top-10 showings, Hudson overcame a 6th hole double-bogey and three bogeys by carding five birdies, including four between Nos. 2-9.
One shot back a tie for fourth at 1-over are Jeff New and Scott Smith while five others are sharing sixth at 2-over.
In the Super Senior Division Richard Hubbard started his week with a 3-under 69 to set the early pace. Hubbard played a nearly flawless round signing for a quartet of birdies and one bogey. The 2-under Jeff Burda is second while Paul Schlachter is 1-under in third place.
Leading the way in the Legends Division are John Richart and Richard Hunt at 1-over. Third place is being held by 2-over John Seehausen.
ABOUT THE Golfweek Senior Amateur
Golfweek Senior Amateur is a premier event
for Seniors (55+), Super Seniors (65+), Legends (70+)
and Super Legends (75+)
with a handicap index or 8 or less.
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