Calvaresi opens huge lead in Fayette Open
This tortoise is doing a number on the competition. Pat Calvaresi’s steadfast, conservative play Saturday gave him a gaping lead entering today’s final round of the Fayette County Golf Open.
After shooting a third-round score of 71 at Duck Hollow Golf Course, Calvaresi took an eight-stroke tournament lead.
His overall score of 216 is well ahead of seven-time champion John Kingora (224) and defending champion Bernie Wydo (225).
Calvaresi is no victim to complacency, either. According to him, the title is far from wrapped up.
“Not at all,” Calvaresi said. “I just have to go out and play the same way I have been the last three days. I know from experience that eight shots is not enough.”
But his pursuers aren’t as auspicious.
“I don’t have a chance,” said Kingora after shooting a 74, while not knowing he would eventually be second on the leaderboard. “I just hope I can finish fourth or fifth. I’m going to try and do the best I can.”
“Unless someone shoots a 64 or a 65, I don’t think there’s a chance,” said Steve Superick, who is in fifth with a tournament score of 227.
Wydo’s outlook was a bit more promising, after shooting a second-best 73 for the third round; however, a run at Calveresi will be a challenge.
“If I’m seven or eight back, that’s going to be tough,” Wydo said. “But if I am three or four back, then I’ll have an outside shot.”
“I just hope to get in the last group and chip away at the leader.”
Wydo will join Calvaresi, Kingora and Zach Rockwell in today’s foursome. Rockwell shot a 78 on Saturday, as he tied Wydo’s third-place overall score of 225.
The leaders’ scores dropped Saturday, as Superick and Gary Sisson, Jr., were bumped from the top foursome after shooting 77 and 79, respectively.
Superick’s eagle on No. 8 waged within four strokes of Calveresi, but Superick bogeyed No. 10, and Calveresi birdied to end the threat.
“It just swung right back in my favor,” Calvaresi said.
“He hit the ball well,” Superick said. “He’d go five or six holes without any mistakes.”
That consistency is what frustrated the rest of the field. With the big lead, all Calvaresi has to do is make par, while others will strive for birdie.
“I was playing aggressive and missing greens,” Superick said. “It makes you feel like you gotta do something.”
“He puts it in play and doesn’t try anything out of the ordinary,” Wydo said. “He can finish par and the rest of us will need birdies. It puts the heat on us.”
Calvaresi simply said, “Pars are golden.”
“I try to win with my putting and short game,” he added. “There were no tough holes. If I had a bad break, I’d take a double-bogey and make par.”
Justin Goletz’s round score of 75 and Chris Taylor’s 76 tied for seventh overall with 229. Mike Revak and Dave Smithberger, Sr., shot 78s to round out the top ten with scores of 230 and 231, respectively.
Revak entered the round tied with Wydo, but he shot a snowman on the par-3 No. 7 hole, after two of his shots found water.
The first tee-time for today’s final round at Duck Hollow is set for 8:30 a.m., while Calvaresi’s foursome will tee at 10:38 a.m. The winner will receive a $1,500 cash prize.
According to his competition, Calvaresi’s chances are much like his pars – golden.
The tournament is sponsored by the Superior Automotive Group.