Alden’s 68-64-69 Leads Austin Men’s City Championship By Four Shots

Jonathan Alden

Jonathan Alden shot a three under par 69 in the third round of 2017 Austin Men’s City Championship to increase his lead to four shots headed into the final round.  He is 14 under par for three rounds.

Alden began the day at 11 under par, with a  two shot lead over Brian Noonan and Ben Carter.  In the third round Noonan posted even par 71 while Carter posted 79.

Seger Howell

At the end of the third round, Alden has a four shot lead over Segar Howell.  Howell shot  67 Saturday to match a Friday 67 at Morris Williams, and he is 10 under par for the championship.

Howell’s  round on Saturday included a 32 on the front nine and all pars on the back nine except for an eagle at the par five 16th and a bogey on 18.  Howell plays for Concordia and was recently named to the the Ping All-American Team with an Honorable Mention.

Brian Noonan

Noonan, who was two back starting the day,  faded with at 37 on the front nine, then rallied to post one under 35 on the back nine and even par for the day and in contention headed into the final round.  The last time Noonan won this title, he came from five shots behind to overtake Alex Ellis and claim his third Men’s City Championship.  He is five back so, don’t count him out.

Jake Hendrix, who shot 67 at Morris Williams on Friday followed up with a steady two under par 70.  Unfortunately, that puts him seven shots behind Alden headed into the final round at Jimmy Clay.  It will take something special and a faltering leader for Hendrix to win.

Charles Neel White

The round of the day and of the tournament belongs to Charles Neel White, who shot 31-32=63.  He recorded birdies on holes 4,5,6,7,8, then parred 9 before making birdies on 10-11-12.  Paired with rounds of 73 at Muny and 73 at Morris Williams, White is at six under par for the championship, eight back of Alden.

So, the championship is Alden’s for the taking.  If he continues to play well, he will be difficult to catch.  If he stumbles, there are capable players who can mount a challenge to Alden’s four shot lead.  If that happens, it becomes a matter of who can perform under pressure.

A young fox at Jimmy Clay, 2017 Men’s City Championship

One of the more unusual spectators of the golfing action on Saturday was the fox that came out the creek on hole number three and them ambled past number 8 and over to number 12 while looking for a snack in the weeds.

Sunday, the leaders will tee it up at 11:15 to decide the championship.  Players will be seeking fame and glory and to gain valuable Rudy Cup points in the effort to make the Rudy’s Cup Team.  Not a bad way to spend a Sunday.  It beats watching television.

Here are the full field results through three rounds.  Click on any player to see their scorecard.