Three Tied into Southern Amateur Finale

Published July 16, 2010 at 8:25 p.m.

BIRMINGHAM, AL -- Californian Patrick Cantley kicked away a 3-shot lead on the final hole of the 104^th Southern Amateur Friday, falling into a three-way tie heading to Saturday’s finale at Shoal Creek Country Club.

Cantley’s triple-bogey 7 on the 18^th opened the door for Alabama’s Bud Cauley and Auburn’s Blayne Barber, leaving all three at 11-under-par 205. One more shot back at 206 is Taiwanese teen Cheng Tsung Pan.

A perk awaiting the winner is an exempt spot in the PGA Tour Arnold Palmer Invitational in Orlando next March. Cantley, the Cal state high school champ and headed for UCLA this fall, admits he’s been thinking about that possible date with Arnie. But he was thinking more of enjoying a 3-stroke cushion over the elite international field after he had just eagled the 17^th hole – his second of the day. But he then drove left into the woods, couldn’t find it and had to go back to re-tee.

“I can’t dwell on that now,” Cantley said bravely afterward. “I’m still tied for the lead and if someone had told me that at the start of the tournament, I’d have been happy.”

Now he’ll have to fend off Cauley, one of the world’s top ranked amateurs, who shot 68 on Friday. After an opening bogey, he reeled off three straight birds to stay in contention. “That exemption would be a nice gift, but winning the Southern Amateur wouldn’t mean any less to me even if there wasn’t one,’’ said the Crimson Tide All-American.

Barber, who transferred from Central Florida to Auburn this past year, vaulted out of the pack with a 6-under 66 highlighted by a 50-foot birdie putt.

104^th Southern Amateur, 3rd Round Leaders

Shoal Creek CC, Birmingham, Par 72, 7,211 yards.

Patrick Cantlay, Los Alamitos CA... 66-68-71—205

Bud Cauley, Jacksonville FL... 73-63-68—205

Blayne Barber, Lake City FL... 70-69-66—205

Cheng Tsung Pan, Miaoli Taiwan……… 65-70-71—206

Alex Carpenter, Little Rock AR... 70-67-70—207

Ben Kohles, Cary NC... 68-67-73—208

Russell Henley, Macon GA... 70-67-71—208

Kieran Pratt, Torquay AUS... 71-66-71—208

Conrad Shindler, Westlake TX... 71-70-68—209

Corbin Mills, Easley SC... 70-70-69—209