Widing takes one-shot lead into final round of Compliance Solutions Championship, Jelley leads locals at 13-under
After holding a share of the 36-hole lead, Korn Ferry Tour rookie Tim Widing shot a third-round bogey-free 6-under 66 Saturday to move to 18 under overall and carries a one-stroke lead into the final round of the Compliance Solutions Championship at Jimmie Austin OU Golf Club.
The 18 and 36-hole co-leader Alan Wagner sits T2 after posting a third-round 5-under 67, highlighted by an eagle at the par-5 18th. Bidding for his sixth top-10 of the season and first Korn Ferry Tour victory, Jake Knapp is tied with Wagner at 17 under. Rookie Davis Chatfield stands T4 with two others at 16 under and has 21 birdies through 54 holes, the most of any player in the field.
Of the 17 players with state ties, only four advanced past the cut which came in at 5 under par. Leading the way is former Jenks and Oklahoma State star Brendon Jelley, who is tied for 11th at 13-under after shooting a 7-under 65 Saturday that included six birdies and an eagle against one bogey. Jelley has made just two bogeys in the tournment.
Of the eight former University of Oklahoma players in the field, two made the cut, which came Saturday after Friday’s rain-delayed round was concluded. Chris Gotterup is tied for 21st at 11 under, while Patrick Welch is tied for 42nd at 8-under. Also making the cut was former Oklahoma Christian University golfer Rhein Gibson, who is also at 8 under.
Missing the cut by a shot at 4 under were Bo Van Pelt of Tulsa, Josh Creel of Edmond, Quade Cummins of Edmond and former OSU golfer Kris Ventua.
Final-round pairings will run from 7 a.m. through 1:00 p.m. off the first tee
Tim Widing on his third round… “Yeah, definitely had an interesting start. I snap-hooked it off the first tee and ended up finding it in the thick rough and had to just play it out to 200 yards. Just told my caddie to just play for the middle of the green, try to make a 5 here. Ended up holing it for a birdie, so, I mean, definitely I thought walking off with a 5 on that hole was going to be fine, but definitely took a 3.
“I played really solid tee to green. I hit a couple bad shots, but I kind of missed it in the right spots. The longest putt for par, I think it was seven feet today. So I’m recovering pretty good and I’m playing pretty smart and hitting it close and giving myself a lot of birdie chances. Happy with the way I managed myself out there and the way I played.”
Widing on how it feels to hold the 54-hole lead… “It feels great, obviously doing something right. Would have been nice to end it with an eagle [on No. 18], but I’m just really proud of the way I fought today. I felt a little nervous, to be honest, on the front nine, but I was able to battle through it and come back. Yeah, so I’m just real proud of myself how I played and really looking forward to tomorrow.”
Widing on what he’s most looking forward to tomorrow… “Kind of going out there with a lead is kind of new for me, so I’m real excited to, first of all, see how I handle it. However I play tomorrow it will be a great experience for me. Obviously going to try to come out on top and do my best, but try to learn as much as I can and go out and play stress-free and still play aggressive. I mean, there’s a lot of birdies out there, I know a lot of guys are going to shoot low. I know I have to keep making birdies and keep the gas pedal down.”