Frank Esposito shoots 67, builds lead to four strokes at Senior PGA PNC

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. -- Frank Esposito Jr. of Monroe Township, New Jersey, has been the “rabbit” this week at PGA Golf Club, comfortable being chased in the 26th Senior PGA Professional National Championship presented by Mercedes-Benz USA.

Esposito, who has owned at least a share of the lead in each of the first three rounds, now sits 18 holes away from proving he’s a closer.

Esposito, the PGA Head Professional at Brooklake Country Club in Florham Park, New Jersey, shot a 5-under-par 67 Saturday on the Wanamaker Course at PGA Golf Club to match the 54-hole Championship record of 15-under-par 201.

He owns a four-stroke lead after matching the standard set in 2006 by eventual Champion Jeff Coston of Blaine, Washington, who happens to be paired with Esposito Sunday morning for the 18-hole finale.

“I’m very satisfied with my play this week. If you would have told me before the week I'd have been in this position I would be thrilled,” said Esposito, who last April shared the 36-hole lead in this Championship before fading on the weekend. “I've been playing well, making some putts. I hope that continues. I haven’t been playing much up north. I've been hitting it well when I have, though. Everything is working out well.”

Coston, 59, PGA Teaching Professional at Semiahmoo Golf and Country Club in Blaine, has been battling a severe cold the past two days. He gathered himself long enough to mix three birdies and four bogeys on the front nine before rallying for a 71 and 205 total. Coston birdied the 16th and 18th holes, the latter coming by sinking a 30-foot putt from the back of the green.

“I've been sick, and I want to feel better,” said Coston. “It was fun riding in the cart with Frank. He played really well. I've been in this position before and I'm excited about tomorrow. I didn't have my 'A' game today. I couldn’t get in a rhythm or groove. I gave a fist pump at 18 after my birdie and that made the day a little nicer.”

James Mason of Dillard, Georgia, posted the day’s low round of 66 to gain a share of third place with Rick Schuller of Chester, Virginia, (67), whose adventurous round featured eight birdies, a double bogey and a bogey. Jerry Haas of Winston-Salem, North Carolina (69) and Steve Schneiter of Sandy, Utah (72), are tied for fifth at 207.

“They really had the course set up with tough pin positions,” said Schuller, who last made a National Championship run on the Wanamaker came in 1998 when he finished runner-up in the PGA Assistant Championship. “Having gone around here several times, you know where you have got to miss it. My biggest problem is that I haven’t taken advantage of the par-5s.”

Esposito sped to a five-stroke lead after 14 holes before Schneiter trimmed the lead to four with a birdie at the par-5 16th hole. But Schneiter double bogeyed 18 to end his chance of playing in the final group.

The 72-hole National Championship features 264 PGA Professionals who are at least 50 years of age and have qualified to compete in the Championship through one of the 41 PGA Sections.

The low 35 finishers Sunday will earn a berth in the 76th Senior PGA Championship presented by KitchenAid, May 21-24, 2015, at French Lick (Indiana) Resort.

The Senior PGA Professional National Championship includes a $285,000 total purse.