Tuesday, July 19, 2016
Two players tied for the lead.
Two more, three strokes back.
A forecast for unrelenting sunshine and heat.
Sound familiar?
It’s the menu for Wednesday’s final round of the 22nd Phil Kosin Illinois Women’s Open at Mistwood Golf Club in Romeoville, with Big Ten rivals Stephanie Miller and Brooke Ferrell the co-leaders at 6-under-par 138, and Kelly Grassel and Lexi Harkins tied for third at 3-under 141.
Eight players of the 32 who made the cut are under par, with the only professional in red figures Sterling’s Ember Schuldt, at 1-under 143.
Miller, going into her senior year at Illinois, posted a second straight 3-under 69 on Tuesday. Ferrell, a senior at Wisconsin, added a 70 to her opening 68.
It’s the second time Miller, from Elgin, had held or shared the lead entering the final round. Four years ago, when she was in high school, she slumped to an 80 and fell out of contention quickly.
Ferrell, a disciple of Dennis Tiziani, who like her hails from Edgerton, Wis., shared second place last year.
Dana Gattone, with Ferrell the co-leader after the first round, ballooned to 78 on Tuesday from her opening 68 and stands at 2-over 146, tied for 10th and eight strokes out of the lead.
Grassel and Harkins each scored 2-under 70 to stay within contact of the leaders, and will play together in the penultimate pairing at 9:06 a.m. Miller and Ferrell tee off at 9:15 a.m.
The cut fell at 13-over 157, encompassing nine pros and 23 amateurs, the latter group including Monday’s ace owner, Lindsay Dodovich of Chicago.
– Tim Cronin
Leaders
a-Brooke Ferrell, Edgerton, Wis. 68-70–138
a-Stephanie Miller, Elgin 69-69–138
a-Kelly Grassel, Chesterton, Ind. 71-70–141
a-Lexi Harkins, Crystal Lake 71-70–141
a-Hannah Kim, Evanston 74-68–142
a-Bing Singsumalee, Naperville 71-72–143
a-Taylor Thompson, Galesburg 72-71–143
Ember Schuldt, Sterling 71–72–143