Bluffton, SC (July 13, 2019) – 28-year-old Stewart Hagestad continued to hold off the young guns in the third round of the 20th annual Players Amateur at Berkeley Hall Golf Club. His third round score of 68 kept him in the lead for a three day total of 21-under but the one to watch going into the final round is Duke University graduate Alex Smalley, who shot 8-under on Saturday to finish in second place.
“It is way-way harder today. Greens are firm, pins tucked. It was a little windy,” said Hagestad after hearing about Smalley’s third round score. “That is really impressive, good for him.”
Smalley started the third round with a birdie on the first hole and took advantage of both the par fives on the front nine. “I made birdies there, knocked them both on the green and two putted from long distances,” said the Greensboro, NC native. He finished the round with birdies on the final three holes. “It certainly feels good, it is a nice way to finish. The game feels really good, it’s nice to see some circles on the score card.”
Three others are tied for third place. Ohio State’s Will Grimmer, Arizona’s David Laskin and Georgia Tech’s Tyler Strafaci are all at 14-under.
The final gets underway Sunday at 7:00 am at Berkeley Hall Golf Club. Admission is free and the tournament is open to the public.