Defending Champion and current National Trainee Champion, Taylor Cooper stormed to the lead today and is 2 shots clear heading into the final round of the 28th Coca Cola Rich River Trainee Classic at the Rich River Golf Club.

 Cooper capitalised on the excellent scoring conditions presented by carding 6 birdies offset by a solitary bogey at the short par-4, 7th hole to record the field’s best third-round score of sixty-seven.  Based on current form, Cooper, who is completing the third year of his PGA Traineeship at the Manly Golf Club in Sydney will be challenging to catch in tomorrow’s final round.

Trailing Cooper by 2 shots is fellow third year Trainee, Deyen Lawson from the Curlewis Golf Club who carded an excellent 4-under par round of sixty-eight.  If he is to catch Cooper tomorrow, Lawson will need to take advantage of his length off the tee on the 4 reachable par-5 holes of the Rich River layout.

Joshua Ingram is a further shot back from Lawson in third position as he followed up his 2-round score of sixty-eight with a strong sixty-nine.  Joining Ingram on a total score of 6-under par after 54 holes and 3 shots adrift of Cooper is 2nd round leader, Brad Moules who stayed in contention with an even par seventy-two.  With Yarrawonga Trainee, Ashley Blake the next nearest competitor a total of 7 shots behind Cooper on 2-under par, the winner of the Championship will most likely come from one of Cooper, Lawson, Ingram or Moules. 

The question remains, will Cooper play his renowned brand of steady golf in chasing his second consecutive Rich River Trainee Classic in tomorrow’s final round, or will he pursue early birdies to quash any challenge from the chasing pack? 

Lawson, Ingram and Moules will be hoping for an early Cooper hiccup, but based on recent history, they will be required go well under par if they have any chance of catching the country’s leading Trainee Professional.

Related Links

Scores / Rich River Trainee Classic Leaderboard
Tee Times / Rich River Trainee Classic Leaderboard
Updates / Rich River Trainee Classic Event Stream