NEWS
Rod Perry shoots a 64 to lead Event No. 6 of PGA Tournament Series
By Craig Dolch
Published on
PORT ST. LUCIE – Rod Perry is one of the few PGA Professionals whose resume matches Bob Sowards.
So after watching Sowards win and finish second twice in his last three PGA Tournament Series events, Perry felt like making some noise of his own Monday.
Perry made six birdies and an eagle to shoot 8-under 64 on the Dye Course to take a two-shot lead into the final round of Event No. 6 of the PGA Tournament Series at PGA Golf Club. His eagle came when he holed a lob wedge from 67 yards at the par-5 fourth hole.
“It would mean a lot to win,” said Perry, the PGA Professional at Crane Lakes Golf & Country Club in Port Orange, Fla. “I had a chance to win the first event (he lost in a five-man playoff to John Somers) and haven’t had a chance since. It’s the end of the year and it would put the year in an even better light.”
Perry has matched Sowards with nine career PGA Tournament Series wins and has two money titles and three low-scoring marks in the winter series. Perry leads by two over Austin, Texas resident Omar Uresti, who had a bogey-free 66.
Sowards, who has clinched the money title, had three birdies but a double bogey at the par-4 eighth and is tied for 23rd at 71.
“Bob has proved himself year after year down here and everywhere else he has played,” Perry said. “It doesn’t surprise me to see him in contention three, four, five times in a row. He’s put a lot into his game and his conditioning.”
Three players are tied for third with 67s: Ben Cook of Caledonia, Mich., Peter Ballo of Stamford, Conn., and Chris Brown of Benbrook, Texas.
The PGA Tournament Series is presented by GolfAdvisor.com.