Courtenay, B.C. – GOLF – Galloway, Ohio’s Ethan Tracy maintained his three-shot lead at PGA TOUR Canada’s British Columbia Q-School on Thursday, carding a 4-under 68 to reach 14-under par through 54 holes at Crown Isle Resort and Golf Community.
The 25-year old will head to Friday’s fourth round three strokes ahead of Bear, Delaware’s Eric Onesi in the chase to earn medalist honours and exempt status on PGA TOUR Canada for 2015.
“I’m not making a whole lot of birdies, but I’m just keeping it consistent and giving myself a lot of good looks,” said Tracy, who made just one bogey against five birdies on the day. “I can’t really pinpoint it on anything, but in this tournament I’m really minimizing my mistakes and not having to grind over any par putts.”
The Ohioan came into the week on a streak of solid play, with top-10 finishes in each of his last two PGA TOUR Latinoamérica starts, including a tie for second at last week’s Lexus Panama Classic presented by World Jewelry Hub. With one round to go, Tracy said he’s hoping to keep the solid play going for one more round.
“I don’t think I need to change anything up. I just need to keep it in the fairway and try to hit as many greens as possible. If you’re hitting 12 or 13 greens a round, you’re going to make a few birdies and you’re not going to make many bogeys,” said Tracy.
Onesi carded a 6-under 30 on his first nine holes and finished with a 67 to hold solo second place, while London, England’s Charlie Bull managed a 3-under 69 to sit four shots back at 10-under.
NUMBERS YOU NEED TO KNOW
3: Holes-in-one on Thursday: Robert Bird and Ryan Prasad recorded aces at the 16th from 163 yards, while Justin Bardgett holed his tee shot on the 197-yard seventh.
2: Players in the 60s all three rounds: Ethan Tracy (67-67-68) and Eric Onesi (69-69-67).
2: Canadians in the top-18: Wilson Bateman (T9), Stuart Anderson (T13).
CARD WATCH
The medalist this week will earn exempt status on PGA TOUR Canada for 2015. Finishers 2-18 will be exempt through the first six events and subject to the re-shuffle, with the rest of the top 40 (plus ties) earning conditional status. The cutoff for the top 18 through the first round was at 1-under, with the cutoff for the top 40 at 3-over.
QUOTABLES
“I had a couple of things where I didn’t feel quite right today and didn’t hit it as well as yesterday, but I seemed to get it in the hole eventually. That was the key today, just playing a slightly more conservative game plan and trying to hit aggressive shots on conservative lines.” – Zach Bull on managing a 3-under 69 despite not having his A-game.
“I haven’t been playing too much. It’s been up-and-down the last couple of years. The desire wasn’t always there,” – Eric Onesi, who had Web.com Tour status in 2011 and 2012 but took some time away from the game to caddie at Bay Hill Club and Lodge over the past two seasons. “It helped me clear my head and give me a little bit more perspective. I’ve been close before. I know I can play out there. You’re going to hit some speedbumps out there in anything you do. I’m just keeping my head high and taking in the opportunities. Up here, it’s a great course, nice views, nice people, so I’m just enjoying myself and thankfully I’m playing well too.”
NOTES
- Weather: 19 degrees Celsius. Sunny. Winds 9 km/h.
- Robert Bell moved up 49 spots with a 6-under 66 in round three.
- Bogey-free rounds: Robert Bell (66), Vince Covello (68), Manav Shah (69), J.J. Spaun (69), Michael Letzig (70).
- B.C. natives James Allenby and Thomas Hay were in a tie 19th at even par through three rounds.
- Click here for scores.
