The rains came and went, the golfers persevered and the third round of the Monroe Invitational reached a conclusion. Only six rounds reached below par of 70, as compared with nine each of the first two days. The weather might have been the culprit, along with the reality that the tournament’s conclusion neared. One golfer handled the pressure quite well; semi-local favorite Derek Bard of U Virginia and New Hartford, NY, posted four birdies against a solitary bogie-blemish, to move into second place. Tournament leader Beau Titsworth has been atop the board all week and remained there, despite a one-over 71. Titsworth sits at four-under par after 54 holes, two strokes ahead of Bard. Kevin DeHuff of Pepperdine is the only other player in red figures for the week, another stroke back at minus-one. Local aspirant Gavin Hall sat in prime position at even-par through two rounds. Saturday was not his day, though, as five bogies could not be countered by two birdies. Hall will need a mid-60s final round to enter the fray.

Two Buffalo-area golfers are competing in the Monroe Invitational. Daniel Yustin is tied for 36th at 8-over 218 while Jacob Kreuz is tied for 49th at 10-over 220.

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