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Wheaton’s T-K Kelly leads the Illinois Open at Stonebridge Country Club in Aurora. Photo by Nick Novelli.
36 DOWN-18 TO GO !
IT’S TWO GOOD DAYS of golf, does T-K Kelly have 18 more holes left in him. Because it’s never been hard for Kelly to shoot low.
But doing it for all three rounds isn’t something that has happened all to often Kelly. But kelly put together back-to-back 6 under par 66’s to hold a commanding three shot lead, headed to the final round.
“I’ve been playing awesome, said Kelly. “But I had to play a little more scrappier today. Because I wasn’t hitting my driver as well, I hit some 3-woods off the tee. After the eagle on the first hole, I made some good par saves to keep the round going.”
After making the turn, Kelly said his game clicked in starting at the 11th hole.
“On the back nine I started hitting some quality shots coming in, and I made the birdie on 18 to close it out,” said Kelly. “My brother (Will) is on my bag and we have a game plan that we executed. I would love to join the club that has won both the Illinois Amateur and the Illinois Open (Kelly has won the Illinois State Amateur twice 2013-2015).”
But Kelly will need to hold off charging Luke Gannon of Mahomet (near Champaign IL.) to win it on Wednesday.
But before this open is closed for the year, it’s likely Gannon will have more to say about it.
CLICK HERE to hear what Luke Gannon had to say after his Round 2 score put him in the lead until T-K Kelly took it back.
OTHER SCORES OF NOTE: Both Gannon and Anthony Albano Jr. of Park Ridge, shot the low scores, (except for Kelly) of the day with 5 under par, 67’s. But there were several players that carded 4 under par scores, including Andrew Godfrey from White pines Golf Club and Frank Hohenadel from Mistwood Golf Club.
Medinah teaching professional Travis Johns shot a 75 (+3) to end his bid for an IPGA Grand Slam of the majors. Big Ten Conference champion Mac McClear (Iowa-Hinsdale) was T-3 after a 3 under par 69. Four time champion University of Illinois golf coach Mike Small, had his struggles and carded a 78 (+6) ending his run for a fifth title.
So for Wednesdays final round. Tee times will start at 8 Am. All groups will be three-some’s, and tee times will be 12 minutes apart. So the final group with the leaders will tee off around 11:30 Am. The expected finish time with no playoff should be just before 4 Pm.
But for more details visit IPGA.com. Spectators are welcome for the final round and admission is free at Stonebridge Country Club in Aurora. The club sits in Aurora but is right on the Naperville city border.