Barnes Plays Big at Big Dog

Jonathan Barnes got spotted a T-1 start by Sam Burns and took advantage. Barnes had 3 front nine birdies and 4 more early on the back nine to pull away from the field to a 10 under par 133 total. His gross 70 round is tied for the 4th best in Tour history. Bill Gordon shot under par in his title defense to take 2nd at 7 under 136 total.  Lance Evert also went low to take 3rd at 5 under par 138.  #1 World Ranked Erika Fitzpatrick took 4th at 3 under par 140. 

On course prizes went to Fitzpatrick and Puffy.  Notables: Gordon moved forward 7 spots and Evert moved up 4 spots on the day. Barnes had 25 putts to Gordon’s 29. Barnes hit 10 greens. Ken Westerman and Puffenberger hit 10 fairways. Scoring was good with Joe Brandenburg getting 5 birdies and 2 eagles. Fitzpatrick 5 and 1. Gordon, Evert and Brian Lardin all had 6 birdies. Gordon, Willi Hesse and Mike Attard had chip-ins. Gordon moves to T-5 in all-time Big Dog winnngs and Brandenburg finished in the money to maintain his all-time 3rd in winnings. The Big Dog Barnes gets his 1st Tour win in his 10th start. 

Big Dog Pro Picks
Entire field will start Saturday under par thanks to Chris Gotterup. Gotterup was chosen by more than half the field and he came thru with a 2 under par 69 to set the base line for the field. Sam Burns made 6 players very happy with a 7 under par 64 to start them tied for first on Saturday.