Rocco Mediate has edge on defending Senior PGA Champion Colin Montgomerie
Sunday 29 May 2016 10:29, UK
Rocco Mediate shot an even-par 71 in the Senior PGA Championship to lead Colin Montgomerie by two going into the final round.
The 53-year-old Mediate started the day four strokes ahead at Harbor Shores having matched the course and tournament records with an opening 62 and a 66 on Friday.
He won both of his PGA Tour Champions titles in 2013 after winning six times on the PGA Tour and he had a steady third round to keep his nose ahead of defending champion Montgomerie who shot a 68.
"I was ecstatic with today, believe it or not," Mediate said. "I would love to have made a couple more putts, but so would everybody else in the field. But I was happy with the way I felt. I felt good.
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"The club was flying today. I let it, just let it go, even more than first two days, believe it or not. I just didn't hole enough putts. But I was ecstatic with the shots I hit into some of these wind conditions. It's a good sign."
The 52-year-old Montgomerie won the major championship in 2014 at Harbor Shores and last year at French Lick Resort in Indiana.
Montgomerie said: "You know how much this tournament championship means to me.
"Obviously, my first 72-hole stroke play win here in America and managed to repeat the feat last year. To come back here, I wanted to make a good showing of it. I really did.
"I wanted to come here and contend on Saturday night. And that's what I've done. So, I'm in a position where I can win."
Club pro John DalCorobbo was third at 11 under after a 69. The 51-year-old DalCorobbo is a PGA assistant professional at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. He won the Senior PGA Professional in October to top the club pro qualifiers.
Tom Lehman, Kirk Triplett and Brandt Jobe were 10 under after shooting 69.
Bernhard Langer had a 71 to drop into a tie for seventh at 9 under in his bid to become the first player to win all five PGA Tour Champions majors.
The 58-year-old German won the Regions Tradition last week in Alabama for his sixth senior major title and 100th worldwide victory.
