Nov. 1, 2008 -- PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. - Sean Dougherty of Overland Park, Kan., fired a solid 2-under-par 70 Saturday to lead at 7-under-par 209 following the third-round of the 32nd TaylorMade-adidas Golf PGA Assistant Championship. He leads David Hronek of North Port, Fla., by two-strokes.

Dougherty, a PGA apprentice at Milburn Country Club in Overland Park, Kan., did not record a single birdie on his front-nine on an over cast day at The PGA Golf Club in Port St. Lucie, Fla.

"I made a couple of bogeys early in the round but I was able to hang in there and made a few pars to steady myself," said Dougherty, who was tied for the lead after the second-round. "I started to finally hit some good shots and some good putts which ended up paying off and I had the lead."

Dougherty bounced back with four birdies on his back nine, including a 30-foot birdie putt on the 223-yard, par-3 16th hole.

"I hit a nice 6-iron pretty much to the middle of the green and had that long putt and just made it, said Dougherty. "I did not really hit a bad shot over the last few holes and it felt good."

The 30-year-old knew that today was moving day for the field and wanted to make sure he was out in front going into the final round.

"The weather is about as good as it is going to get right here on the coast and you had to take advantage," said Dougherty. "I know my nerves were there today and they were for the rest of the guys too. We are just trying to do the best we can. This is a big tournament."

Hronek, a PGA assistant professional at Plantation Golf and Country Club in Venice, Fla., knew that Saturday was moving day and he wanted to be near the top of the leader board.

"I knew I had to do something today to get near the top with the leaders, said Hronek, who came into the third-round in a tie for sixth place . "The first two days I was a little more tentative just to make sure I got here today. I was a little more aggressive on the greens today and it was good conditions and a good day to score. I put myself in a good position to win and I do not have to out and shoot a ridiculous 62 tomorrow."

Hronek feels comfortable playing on the Wanamaker Course and knows that could be to his advantage tomorrow.

"I have played here many times, even when I was getting my Class A and we would play here after school and after classes," said Hronek, who became a PGA Professional in 2005. "I am really familiar with this place and it sets up really good for my game and my eye."

Eddie Wynne of Oakdale, Minn., and Matt Dobyns of Croton-on-Hudson, N.Y., finished another stroke back and are in a tie for third at 212.

John Seltzer, who led after the first two rounds of play, shot a third-round 75 and sits five-strokes back of Dougherty.

"I could not do anything right today. I did not hit the ball well at all," said Seltzer, PGA assistant professional at The Polo Fields Golf and Country Club in Ann Arbor, Mich. "I put it in trouble off the tee quite a bit and did not make any putts either. I have to make up five shots tomorrow and hopefully I can make some birdies early to put some pressure on the leaders."

Julie Peluso, who became the first woman to make the cut in the history of the Assistant Championship, shot a third round 72 and sits in tie for 57th.

Defending Champion Chris Moody, PGA assistant professional at Riverside Country Club in Provo, Utah, shot a third-round 71, and is in a tie for 28th place, ten-strokes back of Dougherty.

Past Champion (2004) Kirk Satterfield of Manhasset, N.Y., PGA Assistant Professional at Deepdale Golf Club in Manhasset, N.Y., shot a third-round 69, and sits in a tie for 21st overall.

The field was trimmed to the low 70 scorers and ties, with 73 players advancing at eight-over-par to play the final two weekend rounds at the Wanamaker Course.

TaylorMade-adidas Golf returns is serving as title sponsor for the ninth consecutive year.

For 32 years, the Championship has produced many outstanding PGA Professionals who have gone onto successful careers in teaching and administering the game, as well as competing at the highest level on the PGA and Champions Tour. Past champions include past Ryder Cup Team members Fred Funk and Loren Roberts, and past PGA Professional National Champions Darrell Kestner and Bruce Zabriski.

The winner of the TaylorMade-adidas PGA Assistant Professional Championship will collect $9,000 of the $100,000 purse and if eligible, will earn a berth in the 42nd PGA Professional National Championship, June 28 through July 1, 2009, at Twin Warriors Golf Club in Santa Ana Pueblo, N.M.

Since 1916, The PGA of America's mission has been twofold; to establish and elevate the standards of the profession and to grow interest and participation in the game of golf. By establishing and elevating the standards of the golf profession through world-class education, career services, marketing and research programs, the Association enables PGA Professionals to maximize their performance in their respective career paths and showcases them as experts in the game and in the $76 billion golf industry.

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