Austin Duncan (Courtesy of Liberty Athletics)
Austin Duncan, of York, S.C., a Liberty University senior, shot a 3-under-par 69 Thursday to retain his lead through the third round of the 10th CCNC Amateur.
A Division II All-America at North Greenville University in the spring of this year, Duncan is two strokes ahead of University of Tennessee redshirt sophomore
Jake Hall, of Knoxville, Tenn., at 7-under 209 with a round that included eight birdies, a double bogey and three double bogeys on The Country Club of North Carolina’s Dogwood Course.
“It was kind of a crazy round with ups and downs all day,” said Duncan, who is seeking his first victory since the Lincoln Memorial Spring Kickoff in February. His other latest victories are the Upstate Amateur and the Triad Classic in 2020.
Duncan, who credited his putting for his success, is the only player in the field with all three scores under par. He paces the tournament with 19 birdies in 54 holes.
“I feel like I am putting well,” he said. “If I can get it within 20 feet, I think I have a good chance of making it. It’s been my strong suit this week.”
His strong play contributes to his confidence, and he gets reinforcement once he leaves the course from his Liberty teammates.
“We are all staying together in a house,” Duncan said. “It’s good to be together with guys you are familiar with. We can hash things out, maybe something in our swing. It gives you a sense of comfort.”
The low round of the day, one stroke off the third-round tournament record of 67, was a 4-under 68 from Duncan’s Liberty teammate
Brett Reid, of Colorado Springs, Colo.
A trio of players shares third place at 4-under 212, including first-round leader
Justin Morgan, an Appalachian State senior from Denver, N.C, North Carolina State commit Michael LoSasso, of Raleigh, and Elon University sophomore
Garrett Risner, of Holly Springs. N.C. Morgan tallied a 71 and LoSasso and Risner fired 69s.
This is the 10th CCNC Amateur, which began in 2012 under the guidance of Stuart Taylor and Eric Murray of the Tarheel Junior Golf Foundation.
ABOUT THE
Mid Pines Invitational
Formerly known as the CCNC Amateur but moved to
Mid Pines in
2022. 54-hole stroke play event with a cut after 36
holes to
the low 40 players and ties.
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