Porter Cup 2014: Round Three Review

Today was the day the Commonwealth took command of the 2014 Porter Cup. Geoff Drakeford, the halfway leader, posted a 2-under 69 to establish a three-shot advantage with 18 holes to play. Only his generous donation of two strokes back to par, via bogies on 14 and 17, kept the Trararlgon native from a five-stroke lead. On his heels, more or less, are countryman Ben Eccles and Englishman David Boote, both at minus-six for the tournament. Eccles had an eagle and three birdies on the day, mildly offset by a strange double-bogey on one of the course’s easier holes, number 6. Boote measured out three birds against one bogey to keep pace, more or less, with Drakeford. Tied for 4th, at five-under, is Dale Brandt-Richards, another Aussie.

The closest golfers from the USA is Beau Hossler, whose 65 tied for the low round of the day with Alejandro Tosti of Argentina. Hossler was flawless in his play, matching five birdies to thirteen pars to finish at minus-five with Brandt-Richards. A host of golfers sits at minus-four, beginning with first-round leader Gavin Hall. Whatever magic Hall had on Wednesday is apparently gone. He’ll probably earn his third, top-ten finish at a Porter Cup, but he’ll need another 64 or better to have a chance at the winner’s jacket. Likewise, unless Shotaro Ban, Taylor Funk, Trevor Sluman or Bobby Holden (the others at four under par) threaten the course record, the championship race should come down to the top five golfers