Rohanna in contention after 3-under 69
Robert Rohanna played what is likely the steadiest round of his nascent PGA TOUR Latinoamerica career Saturday by carding a 3-under 69 to shoot up the leaderboard of the Mundo Maya Open presented by Heineken at the Yucatan Country Club, The Jaguar course, in Merida, Yucatan, Mexico.
Rohanna and fellow Americans Cody Gribble and Erik Barnes are tied in 10th place heading into today’s final round at 4-under 212. Rohanna entered the third round at 1-under 143 (71-72) and tied for 15th place.
American Brad Hopfinger holds the third-round lead at 8-under 208.
The Waynesburg Central graduate started on a positive note with a birdie-3 on the first hole. He carded a birdie-3 on No. 4, but gave one of those strokes back with a bogey-4 on No. 7 to go out in 1-under 35.
“On Nos. 1-4-5-9-14-15-17, I had legitimate makeable birdie putts from inside 15 feet,” Rohanna said via Facebook Messenger. “I had legitimate birdie putts from inside 15 feet. I made two of them. I two-putted the others, but it was a solid day.”
He birdied two of the three par-5s on the back nine to shoot a 2-under 34. Pars filled the remainder of his card.
“On No. 11 and 16, I had eagle putts on both from inside 20 feet,” Rohanna said of his two birdies on the backside.
“I made a good par on No. 13. I hit a good shot, but the green is raised. I missed the green by two feet and it proceeded to trickle about 10 yards into the water, so that’s a big one (a stroke left out on the course),” explained Rohanna.
Rohanna compared his third round to the previous two.
“I’d have to actually say I hit it better in both of the first two rounds, but I’m in contention and happy,” said Rohanna. “I just need a good round tomorrow to improve.”
Rohanna is schedule to tee off with Barnes at 11:50 a.m. (local time).
“I know Erik. He lives by me in Florida and we have played together numerous times,” said Rohanna.
His approach will not change despite his position on the leaderboard.
“Nope, just keep plugging away!” emphasized Rohanna. “I’m a little more confident. I just need to get a few good breaks and hit some more good shots and it will be a good week.”