Moldovan back on top of the leaderboard at the Southern Amateur

July 16, 2021 | by Jim Young of AmateurGolf.com

Courtesy of Southern Amateur

Ohio State junior will take a two-shot lead into Saturday's final round

There are no shortage of birdies at Old Waverly Golf Club in West Point, Miss. where Maxwell Moldovan moved back to the top of the Southern Amateur leaderboard on Friday after carding a third round 6-under score of 65.

Moldovan made six birdies in a bogey-free round which left him at 16-under 197 for three days of work at Old Waverly. The Ohio State Buckeye opened his third round with a birdie on the first hole and added two more birdies on holes 5 and 6 to make the turn in 32. Three more birdies followed on holes 10, 16 and, for the third consecutive day, on 18 for a brilliant round of 65.

“I got off to a good start by making a 30-foot birdie from the fringe on one,” said Moldovan. “It’s good to make a birdie out of the gates when you’re playing in the final group to ease the nerves a bit.”

Moldovan will take a two-stroke lead into Saturday’s final round over second round leader Connor Howe, who followed up his blistering round of 62 on Thursday with a third round 69.

The lead group is in a close race this morning! Follow Maxwell Moldovan, Karl Vilips and Connor Howe along as they take on round three of the 115th Southern Amateur Championship presented by STITCH® Golf. Hit the link in bio to view live scoring for the round! pic.twitter.com/J53ke6qN9l
— Southern Golf Association (@sgagolf) July 16, 2021

Brayden Garrison, who recently completed his collegiate career at Tennessee, moved into solo third at 13-under 200 after a third round 65, which included six birdies and an eagle.

Four others, including 2017 Southern Amateur champion Karl Vilips, are four back at 12-under par.

After rounds of 64-68-65, Moldovan sees no reason to alter his game plan heading into tomorrow’s final round.

“I’m going to go out and keep on doing what I’ve been doing and that’s hitting a lot of fairways and greens and giving myself chances. I have faith in whatever is going to happen will happen and I’m just excited about what tomorrow might bring.”

Results: Southern Amateur

Place	Player	Location	Pts	Scores
1	Maxwell Moldovan	Uniontown, OH	1200	64-68-65-67=264
2	Bryce Lewis	Hendersonville, TN	900	68-69-66-66=269
T3	Connor McKinney	, Australia	700	64-71-67-68=270
T3	Garrett Barber	Stuart, FL	700	68-65-68-69=270
T5	Johnny Keefer	San Antonio, TX	700	68-68-68-67=271

View full results for Southern Amateur

About the Southern Amateur

Moldovan back on top of the leaderboard at the Southern Amateur

The Southern Amateur, which dates back to 1902, is one of two competitions held by the Southern Golf Association (the other is the Southern Junior). This is a 72-hole stroke play championship with a cut made after 36 holes. Entries are open to any ma...