Chris Tidland wasn't a dewsweeper — a golfer who plays as soon as the sun comes up — but he played early enough Saturday to avoid the breeze and shoot one of the 65s that were the day's low round at the Cox Classic.
“It got to be playing pretty tough when the wind kicked up,'' Tidland said. “I got a great tee time and took advantage.
“The par 3s on the back nine are tough. It was tough to hit it close.''
Tidland's round included an eagle on the 10th hole, where he said he played his tee shot 30 yards left of his normal target.
“It's right of the Arby's sign, but today it was 15 (yards) left,'' he said.
Tidland vaulted from a tie for 37th after Friday to a tie for fifth entering today's final round at Champions Run. At 13 under, he's only two strokes behind co-leaders Michael Sim and Jonas Blixt.
At No. 8 on the money list, a finish of third or better today would put Tidland, a 1995 Oklahoma State graduate, past $200,000 for the season and close to returning full time to the PGA Tour for the first time since 2007.
“I don't look at the money list, but my wife does,'' he said, gesturing to Amy Tidland in the interview room. “This game is so hard that I can't look anywhere than the next shot.''
He has won more than $1.1 million on the Nationwide Tour, which ranks third all-time.
Omaha ranks as one of his favorite events. The Tidlands, who have two children, stay with John and Kris Gudenrath and their four kids.
“At the house, it's crazy,'' Tidland said. “They're coming to stay when Oklahoma State plays Texas on Halloween.''
Contact the writer:
444-1041, stu.pospisil@owh.com
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