Porter Cup: Australian Drakeford leads entering final round

LEWISTON, N.Y. (July 25, 2014) -- It's an international affair this week at the prestigious Porter Cup with the final two groupings for Saturday's finale representing the best that Australian and British amateur golf has to offer. Australian Geoff Drakeford grabbed control of the lead Friday at Niagara Falls Country Club, shooting a 2-under 68 that put him three up on England's David Boote and fellow countryman Ben Eccles. Dale Brandt-Richards, another player from Australia, is tied for fourth place alongside American Beau Hossler. The Porter Cup holds a strong relationship with the annual Australian Master of the Amateurs and the partnership has gone to continue the strong fields at both events. Hossler, of course, is entering his sophomore season at the University of Texas and recently won the Southern California Amateur title. He shot a 65 on Friday to catapult towards the top of the leaderboard at the prestigious event. Cal's Shotaro Ban is tied for sixth alongside Taylor Funk, Bobby Holden, Trevor Sluman and first-round leader and local favorite Gavin Hall, who's a teammate of Hossler's at Texas. Hall shot 64 in Round 1 but has shot 70-72 during the middle rounds and hopes for a low number Saturday. The Porter Cup, of course, is one of the premiere amateur events in the nation. The 72-hole stroke play invitational has a long list of impressive past winners, including Phil Mickelson, David Duval, Scott Verplank and Ben Crenshaw.