Chris Benestante after Firecracker Open victory
(Golf Austin Photo)

On Saturday Benestante fired a back nine 8-under 27 to move within one shot of the lead held by Robert Evans. When Sunday dawned Benestante was still flying high with confidence and carried the momentum forward with two front nine birdies and an additional four on the closing nine. Benestante bogeyed just one hole throughout the day.

36-hole leader Robert Evans struggled to get anything going shooting an even-par 71 on Sunday to finish 11-under and in third place.

Jake Hendrix put together a final day 4-under 67 as he completed play 12-under and in second alone.

2015 champion Nicholas Cristea was 8-under and in fourth while eight players were 7-under and tied for fifth.

36-HOLE RECAP

Robert Evans is 11-under and ahead by one following 36-holes of play at the Firecracker Open. Three players are currently 10-under and in second place.

Evans opened with an 8-under 63 on Friday thanks to a torrid starts with birdies on each of the first five holes. His only bogey of the round came on No. 6 and that was followed up with four birdies on the back nine.

On Saturday Evans posted a 3-under 68 with five birdies and two bogeys. His most impressive stretch came on holes 10-12 when he birdied all three in succession.

Chris Benestante put together the round of the day to reach second place and 10-under. The front nine of his 7-under 64 was a mundane 1-over 37. However, his back nine was something to right home about.

Simply put Benestante was magnificent as he carded a remarkable eight birdies and no bogeys to shoot an 8-under 27. His only par was on the 15th hole.

Henrik Olsson and Forest Miller are both part of the second place tie thanks to identical 67-65 rounds. Jack Cersosimo is 9-under and in fifth.

In all nine players will begin the final day within four shots of Robert Evans lead.

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