Gasparilla Invitational: Marc Dull holds one shot lead heading into final round

February 24, 2023 | by Pete Wlodkowski of AmateurGolf.com

Gasparilla Invitational 36-hole leader Marc Dull (Gasparilla via Instagram)

With snow in California and the Midwest, Florida is the place to golf this weekend -- how does a high temperature of 88 sound?

With one round to play, Marc Dull of Lakeland is leading the Gasparilla Invitational at Palma Ceia Golf Club in Tampa, Florida. Dull posted a 6-under total of 134 for the first 36-holes of the 54-hole Mid-Am event on the par-70 layout.

And the temperature of 88 degrees was breaking records, making the storm-ridden country very jealous.

Dull, the 2018 champion, is just a shot clear of two Floridians and a New Englander. Blanton Farmer (Bradenton, Florida), Chip Brooke (Altamonte Springs, Florida) and Nick Maccario (Waltham, Mass.) all stand at 5-under 135.

Defending champion Logan Blondell, who set the tournament record at 10-under in winning the 2022 Gasparilla, will have his work cut out for him on Saturday. He stands at 1-over 141. But with a 62 out there already, who knows what can happen?

AmateurGolf.com will provide full final-round coverage after Saturday's round.

TOURNAMENT NOTES:

Joe Neuheisel, son of football coach and commentator Rick Neuheisel, shot an amazing 62 in the first round, but it can be hard to follow a round like that. After a second-round score of 75, he stands three shots back of the leader at 3-under 137. If he gets it going again, look out.

Andy Butler of Philadelphia had the most interesting scorecard we've ever seen over two rounds. The first day, he shot 80 with a 12 on the par-5 third hole. Today, he only chopped 8-shots off that hole by seeking pirate's revenge with a birdie. And if that wasn't enough, he aced the following hole on his way to a 2-under 68. Unfortunately, there was no adjusting that 12, and he missed the 36-hole cut by three.

Jeff Knox and Mike Finster lead the senior division at 1-over 141. Knox, of Augusta, Georgia, is known for playing several times as a marker in The Masters -- sometimes besting the score of his professional playing partner. Finster, of St. Petersburg has a great track record playing close to home -- in January he captured the Golfweek Senior Player of the Year Classic at Tampa Palms.

The 54-hole cut, by the way, fell at 5-over 145.

Results: Gasparilla Invitational Mid-Am

Place	Player	Location	Pts	Scores
1	Brendon Wilson	Ringgold, GA	400	69-67-64=200
2	Nick Maccario	Waltham, MA	300	65-70-68=203
T3	Jonathan Bale	, Wales	200	64-73-69=206
T3	Blanton Farmer	Bradenton, FL	200	65-70-71=206
T5	Derek Busby	Ruston, LA	200	69-70-69=208

View full results for Gasparilla Invitational Mid-Am

About the Gasparilla Invitational Mid-Am

Gasparilla Invitational: Marc Dull holds one shot lead heading into final round

54-hole individual stroke play championship with a cut after 36 holes to the low 60 and ties. Good mix of Florida players and national competitors looking for an early season tune up. Played on a traditional, tree lined golf course that isn't very lo...