A cool and cloudy day greeted players for the third round of the 2019 Vic/Tas/SA PGA Trainee Championships at the Tocumwal Golf and Bowls Club where Dale Crothers has maintained his lead after taking advantage of benign conditions on the Presidents course.

Leading after 54 holes, the 1st Year Trainee from Yarrawonga and Mulwala shot 6-under 66 in the third round for a total of 14-under 200.

Crothers was 4-under through just eight holes and has extended his overnight lead to four strokes.

“I drove the ball well and made some good putts,” said Crothers. “My game is good shape and ready for tomorrow.”

Sitting hot on his heels Brayden Petersen (Asquith Golf Club, NSW) shot 4-under on the back-9 to complete the low round of the day of 7-under 65 and close the gap to two strokes with 18 holes to play.

“Everything was good today,” said Petersen. “I gave myself lots of opportunities and fed off Dale’s good play too.”

In outright third place is Cooper Eccleston (Victoria Park, Qld) on 8-under 208 after firing 69. In fourth place is Mitch Gannon (Kogarah Golf Club, NSW) on 209 after a 71 today and rounding out the top-5 is defending champion Frazer Droop who also shot a 65 today but finds himself 10 shots from the lead.

“The greens are great and I sorted out a few issues with my driver after yesterday’s round which made the difference today,” said Droop.

Other players under after 54-holes include Ethan Andrews (Lakelands Golf Club, WA) on 3-under 213, Tom McLaine (Gardiners Run Golf Club, Vic) and Jayden Cripps (The Ridge, NSW) on 2-under 214. Pat Hatton (Wynnum) sits in outright 9^th after a 4-under 68 in round three.

Play moves back the Captain’s Course for the final round starting at 7.45 am with the final group scheduled to tee off at 8.57am.