David

Branshaw

It was a steady four days of golf for Branshaw in Lutz, Florida. Carding rounds of 67-67-68-68, the 52-year-old from New York shot 14-under, finishing three-strokes behind Labritz. A former Nationwide Tour member in the late 1990s as well as a PGA Tour member in the early 2000s, Branshaw will now try his luck on the PGA Tour Champions. He can thank his strong back-nine play in the final round for propelling to him such status. Two-over for the day at the turn, Branshaw made birdies on holes Nos. 10 through 15 to secure his spot near the top of the leaderboard. Unable to catch Labritz, it would not matter in the end as Branshaw had locked up his playing privileges for 2022.

The former PGA TOUR member squared only one bogey but four birdies weren’t enough in the usual race to go low. Since losing his card following the 2007 season, he’s competed just once at this level, finishing 69th at the 2013 Travelers Championship. Other notables that failed at today’s four-spotter include: 69--Brad Adamonis; Todd Demsey ... 71--Bubba Dickerson ... 74--David Mathis; Jon Mills.

Branshaw carded four birdies and a bogey to expand his overnight lead by a stroke and this is the first time in his career that he has led after the third round on the PGA Tour. Chad Campbell had the best round of the day with a 64 and he will start the final round only three strokes behind Branshaw.

The second round was called because of darkness and the round will resume at 7:45AM (local time) with the third round starting at noon. Branshaw is currently 190th on the Money List and his best finish ever on the Tour was a T-4 at last year’s B.C. Open. The weather for Saturday calls for sunny skies and temperatures starting in the mid-60’s warming to the mid-80’s in the afternoon with winds mainly out of the East at 9 mph.

Brandshaw’s withdraw will allow Michael Boyd into the field. Boyd earned his tour card for this year by finishing in 25th place in Q-School.

He has been replaced in the field by Gary Hallberg. Hallberg has only played in the AT&T Invitational this year, where he missed the cut.