Fishers’ Andy Winings maintains his lead at the 99th Indiana
Open Championship at Otter Creek GC heading into the final round, but only by a
slim margin. Winings fired a 2-under par
70 today for a three day total of 15-under-par, 201. Craig Bowden of Bloomington and Tyler Duncan
of Columbus gave Winings a run for his money today with solid rounds of 67
(Duncan) and 68 (Bowden). Bowden heads
to the final round at 14-under-par and just one shot out of the lead.
“Today was a really weird day,” Winings said. “I felt like I played fairly similarly to how
I did the first two days, but I got some bad breaks. I had four bogeys today, and up until this
point I was bogey free for the tournament.
I’m a little bit disappointed with today’s outcome, but I still feel
confident with the position I am in.”
Bowden made the turn this afternoon at even par, but things
heated up for him on the back nine, making four birdies in his last seven
holes.
“I played very tidy today,” said Bowden, past PGA Tour
player and two-time Open Champion. “I’m
one down heading into the final round and I honestly didn’t expect to be in
this position. I haven’t played any competitive
golf this year and this is my first time playing in the Open in 19 years. I couldn’t be much happier with where I stand
and I hope to continue to play well tomorrow.”
Bowden looks for his third Open win tomorrow, with previous back-to-back
wins coming in ’94 and ’95.
Duncan, on the other hand, looks for his first Open win
tomorrow at Otter Creek, the course where he grew up playing. Both Winings and Duncan have won Indiana
Amateur Championships at Otter Creek (Duncan in ’11 and Winings in ’07), but
have just fallen short at past State Opens.
“I think I’m in a pretty good position,” Duncan said. “Two shots is not a lot when it comes to
golf. Andy is a great player and I know he
will continue to play well tomorrow. I
feel like I have a little bit of an advantage knowing the course so well. I’ve seen about every pin placement there
could possibly be, and if they tuck pins tomorrow like they did today I think I’ll
be ready for it.”
McCormick Clouser of Bluffton is also somewhat in the hunt
heading into the final round. Clouser
posted a three day total of 8-under-par, 208 and will have to do something
truly special if he has any hopes of catching the leaders.
Winings, Bowden, and Duncan will tee off tomorrow morning at
11:36 a.m.