Sunday’s final round could be one for the books.
Delta State golfer Landon Carner and former Mississippi State golfer Joseph Deraney are tied for the lead heading into the final round of the 72nd annual Greenwood Country Club Invitational, with a couple of talented players lurking not far behind.
“I played bogey-free golf (Saturday) with some really good par saves,” said Deraney, who shot a 5-under-par 67 in the second round. “I am looking forward to a fun final day here.”
Deraney, of Beldon, and Carner, of Birmingham, Alabama, stand at 14-under-par, while Madison’s Robert Denton is breathing down their necks at 13 under. Denton posted a 67 in the second round.
Carner, who transfered to DSU from Memphis in the spring, carded a 66 Saturday. He birdied four of his first six holes and was off to the races to make up the one-shot he trailed Deraney by after Friday’s opening round. The former Spain Park High School (Hoover, Ala.) standout, who led the Jaguars to the state 7A title while shooting a 72-69 to finish second individually, has made just one bogey in 36 holes.
Scott Rhodes of Ridgeland (65-68) is in the fourth place at 11 under and possibly still in striking distance of the leaders. Tucker Jenkins (67-67) of Baldwyn is 10 under.
Former Greenwood resident and ex-Pillow Academy standout golfer Anthony Ola Jr., now of Madison, opened the tournament with back-to-back 68s and sits six shots back of the leaders — tied at 8 under par with Ben Snow and two-time past GCC Invitational winner Clay Homan, the former golf coach at Mississippi State who now lives in his native Fulton.
Snow had the round of the day on a hot, muggy Saturday morning with a scorching number to match the temperature — a 10-under-par 62. After a par on the par-4 10th hole to start his day, the former Southern Miss golfer birdied the next three holes and then birdied the final three holes of his first nine.
Among the top locals, Michael Naaman (68-71) has had the best showing so far, sitting in 12th place at 5 under. Steve Pannell (69-71) is 13th, while Alan Ellis, the last Greenwood player to win the event, shot 73 and is tied for 16th.
Deraney, a two-time Canadian Mid-Amateur champion, is trying to become the first player to win back-to-back GCC Invitational titles since Josh Oller in 2007 and 2008. He won last year’s tournament in a sudden-death playoff after the third round was washed out by Mother Nature.
nContact Bill Burrus at 581-7237 or bburrus@gwcommonwealth.com.
