Queensland’s Lewis Hoath has carded the round of the day, a four-under-par 67 to grab a two-shot lead entering the final round of the Avondale Amateur.
Two shots behind Hoath is Castle Hill’s Jordie Garner, who fired a two-under-par 69, and second-round leader Jye Pickin, who fell away after a disappointing 74.
New South Wales GC representative ZInyo Garcia and defending Champion Blake Windred are another shot back at six under.
Like the weather, Hoath was in hot form, with six birdies and an eagle on his card, alongside four bogies. The lead could have been even larger except for back to back bogies on 17 and 18 to finish.
“I started off pretty good. I birdied the first and holed a long eagle putt on three, so three under through three was a solid way to start.”
The 18-year-old said the key to his round was to stay in the present in the trying conditions.
“Just take it one shot at a time really, that’s all I tried to do, and it seemed to work out pretty good.”
Hoath is no stranger to the winners’ circle, with a brace of titles including the Greg Norman Junior Masters, and the Gary Player Classic to his name.
The Queensland Junior State team member is hopeful a good showing at Avondale. He is hopeful the chance of claiming the title might lead to selection in the Queensland State team.
“I’m trying to get in the men’s State team. There is a couple of vacancies,” he smiled.
KK leads by one at Avondale
Kum Kang Park will take a one shot lead into the final round of the Avondale Amateur after posting an even-par-round of 72 in sweltering conditions today.
With the mercury pushing almost 40 degrees, the 18-year-old, who goes by the nickname KK, remained composed as most of her fellow competitors wilted in the stifling heat, crafting three birdies in her solid round. The lead would have been three if not for an unfortunate double bogey on the last.
“I played good, except for the double on the last hole.
“I’m disappointed in that.”
When pressed about the extreme conditions, Kang, said she actually enjoyed them.
“It was not very hot, but I like summer.”
With conditions expected to be milder tomorrow, Kang said she believed the key was to be clever about her golf.
“You have to play smart golf here,” she smiled.
Sitting a shot back from KK is NSW Junior Champion Hye Park, while another Korean Min A Yoon is in third.
Lisa Edgar, last week’s NSW Amateur Champion, and Kiwi Carmen Lim carded the best rounds of the day, a pair of 70s. The effort was good enough for Edgar to climb into fourth place alone, and Lim into a tie for 5th.
Best of the Local contingent is Concord’s Belinda Ji, while local Avondale favourite Grace Kim is in a four-way tie for 7th at five over.