Cover, a Cornelius, N.C., fresh off the North Carolina-Wilmington roster, extended his lead from three to five shots Friday at the Club at Olde Stone. He had a 2-under 70 that moved him to 14 under for the tournament. It was a far cry from Thursday’s round of 63 (which included a back-nine 28), but it proved to be just what Cover needed. His third round included five birdies and nines of 36-34. Cover has carded a total of 18 birdies over the 54 holes played so far.
Three players are tied for second at 9 under, including S.M. Lee of Buford, Ga., Eric Ansett of Spokane, Wash., and Taylor Bibbs of San Diego, Calif. Lee climbed up the leaderboard with a 3-under 69 which included five birdies. Ansett carded a 1-under 71. After a shaky start, Bibbs fired a 2-under 34 on the back nine to get in the clubhouse with a 1-over par 73 and remain in a tie for second place. Lee and Ansett will join Cover in the final group on Sunday.
Rhett Rasmussen, a rising junior at BYU who played in the U.S. Open last month (he missed the cut), had a 4-under 68 in what amounted to the best round of the day on Saturday. It could have been even better considering he bogeyed his final two holes. Rasmussen got on a run mid-round, making four consecutive birdies from Nos. 6-9 then adding two more at Nos. 11 and 12.
Rasmussen is tied for fifth at 8 under with Brandon Smith, Wilson Furr and Luke Long.
John Augenstein, last week’s Players Amateur winner, remains within striking difference if he catches fire on Sunday. Augenstein is 7 under for 54 holes.