Day keeps chances alive at Turning Stone
BY Bruce Young | US PGA Tour | 2008 Turning Stone Resort Championship | Round Three | 05 Oct 2008
20-year-old Queenslander, Jason Day, is one shot from the lead after the third round of the Turning Stone Resort Championship in Verona, New York.
Day recovered from a stumble during his closing nine holes in today’s third round when he produced a brilliant second from 253 yards at the par five 18th to 12 feet. After holing that putt for eagle, he moved within one of leaders, Charles Howell III and Tag Ridings.
It was Day’s third eagle of the week, the other two coming via miraculous shots. In Thursday’s opening round, Day holed a 9 iron at the par four 14th, then on Friday a 6 iron found the bottom of the cup for an ace at his 15th hole.
Tomorrow provides a great opportunity for Day to eliminate any concerns regarding his current position on the 2008 PGA Tour money list. With US$591,000 to his name in 2008 and 129th spot on the money list Day likely needs another US$240,000 or so to ensure he finishes inside the all important top 125.
Tomorrow provides an opportunity to achieve just that, but with his form clearly improving and with another five events still to play this season, Day is very much on track.
Other Australians are also in with a chance to win the event. Robert Allenby is in a share of 7th position just one behind Day and two from the lead, while a shot further back is Mark Hensby who is in desperate need of a good week.
Last year Hensby left his run very late in the piece before finishing runner up at the Frys Electronics event in Scottsdale and, with only US$341,000 to his name in 2008, this is a very important week for him also.
Hensby had a share of the lead today before four dropped shots in his last six holes proved very costly. Just how costly will be determined tomorrow but at just three shots back he still has a chance if he can put today’s horror finish behind him.
Steve Allan and Mathew Goggin are on the fringe of contention at 4 under and just four from the lead.
