LOUISVILLE, Ky. — A chaotic day of lightning delays and late-evening golf ended with a new name atop the ISCO Championship leaderboard — and a tournament still waiting for its third round to finish.
Paul Peterson, a 37-year-old PGA TOUR rookie, surged into the lead at 10-under par Saturday evening at Hurstbourne Country Club. He was 5-under on his round with three holes left to play when darkness finally halted play after two lengthy weather delays totaling more than three hours.
“I’ve been working really hard, and this course demands patience,” Peterson said earlier this week. That patience may pay off — if he can close it out Sunday morning.
Peterson, making just his 20th career PGA TOUR start, was steady while others stumbled, including second-round leader Chan Kim. Kim started the day with a five-shot cushion but dropped back to solo second at 9-under after bogeys on Nos. 11 and 12. He was preparing to tee off on 13 when play was suspended.
Twelve players will finish their third rounds Sunday before the final round begins. The round is scheduled to resume at 8 a.m. The tournament winner will earn a two-year PGA TOUR exemption and a spot in next year’s PGA Championship.
Veteran Luke List is one of several in the clubhouse at 7-under, tied for third. He posted a 65 on Saturday — and was glad to avoid a return trip Sunday morning.
“Very [relieved],” List said. “It’s nice to not have to come back in the morning. Just managing my game a little bit, hit a few more fairways — no bogeys the last two days, so that’s good around here.”
David Skinns also sits at 7-under after a birdie on the par-4 15th. Lexington native Vince Whaley, who was playing with Kim, was even when he left the course before completing No. 13. He sits in a tie for fifth.
Others in contention include Kris Ventura at 6-under and Auburn standout Jackson Koivun, who climbed into a tie for 15th at 3-under after a third-round 68.
Rains have meant a changing course at Hurstbourne, but thus far in the yet-to-be completed third round it has played tougher than the two days prior. Saturday’s first delay lasted one hour, 36 minutes, with play resuming at 3 p.m. local time. The second took one hour, 55 minutes, with play restarting at 7:05 p.m.
And as the tournament heads toward a compressed Sunday finish, the final challenge may be who can stay the steadiest — and the freshest.
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