WINTERGREEN, Va. -- Stephen Gangluff and Dirk Ayers posted matching rounds of 4-under 68 Saturday to share the third-round lead of the Lewis Chitengwa Memorial Championship. The duo is knotted at 10-under-par 206 and lead by one over Erik Compton and Chris Wollmann.
Gangluff, who has conditional status on the Nationwide Tour, tallied four birdies on his front nine to break out of the pack. He struggled with his driver on the back nine and completed the inward half at even par.
Gangluff, who makes Wintergreen Resort his home course, also has special memories of the man the tournament is named after. Just days before Chitengwa travelled to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina to earn his PGA Tour card in the winter of 2001, the two played a practice round at Wintergreen.
That was the last time Gangluff saw Chitengwa.
‘I’m happy I was given a spot to play here, and if I am able to win it would be an honor to get my name on that trophy,’ said Gangluff, who can join last year’s winner Nick Watney as champions who received spots via sponsor’s exemptions. ‘I know how much he meant to everyone around here, so it would mean a lot to me.’
Ayers was plodding along at even par through his first 12 holes, but birdied four in a row from the 13th for his round of 68.
‘It sure leaves a good taste in your mouth heading into Sunday,’ said Ayers, referring to his birdie streak on the back nine Saturday. ‘There are a lot of birdie holes out there, but you have to be patient. I’ll keep plugging away and see what we can do.’
Paul Danielson (70), Anders Hultman (68), Brian Nosler (66), Alex Rocha (71) and Kirk Straughen (68) are knotted in fifth place. That group has finished 54 holes at 7-under-par 209.
Robert Hamilton, the second-round leader, struggled to a 2-over 74 and is part of a group tied for 10th at minus-6.
Related Links:
Favorites
Sign up to follow your favorites on all your devices.
Sign up