Golf: Setting up for a Cox Classic trophy sprint

• Photo Showcase: 2010 Cox Classic
• Results: Cox Classic Leader Board

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After the third round resembled a pileup on the West Dodge Expressway, Sunday at the Cox Classic could be a trophy sprint.

The leading score moved only three strokes Saturday, from 14 under to 17 under, bringing almost everybody not in a skybox into contention at Champions Run.

There are nine golfers one stroke behind co-leaders James Hahn and Kevin Chappell, four more who are three strokes back and eight more who are four back. Yes, that's 23 golfers with a reasonable hope of winning the $130,000 first-place money.

The bunch-up began when ex-Nebraska golfer Scott Gutschewski and Paul Claxton, in the same pairing, each shot their career lows of 9-under 62 to be the first at 16 under.

“When you come here you know you have to shoot 20 under or better to have a chance. You have to come in with that mind-set,'' Claxton said. “You have to keep your feet on the gas and keep going.''

Hahn, a tour rookie from South Korea who's a Cal-Berkeley grad, snagged his share of the 54-hole lead with a no-bogey 64.

“A 62 is out there again tomorrow and any of us can shoot it,'' Hahn said. “It's going to be fun. I have a number in my head what I have to get to — and it definitely starts with a 2 and the middle 2s.''

Chappell is going for his second win of the season. The 2008 NCAA champion from UCLA, fourth on the money list, already is a lock for a spot on the 2011 PGA Tour.

“You throw it into fifth gear and go,'' said Chappell, who shot 68 Saturday as the second-round co-leader with Kyle Thompson. “You have to shoot at the flags and see the ball go into the hole. One advantage is that your game plan is already decided for you. You're not trying to protect the lead.''

Also at 16 under, besides Claxton and Gutschewski, are Martin Piller (a third-round 62), Jon Mills (64), Ron Whittaker (65), Aaron Watkins (65), Dicky Pride (65), Bob May (67) and Thompson (69).

Jason Gore, the 2005 Omaha winner, is four back after a 67. Two-time 2010 tour winner Tommy “Two Gloves” Gainey is six back after a 69.
Claxton left the press room thinking he was going to get passed left-and-right.

“Somebody is going to go even lower, as soft as the greens are and with no wind, and they're much better players than I am, the guys behind me just teeing off.”

It didn't happen.

May's 68 was the best score in the last three groups.

“I caught myself staring at the scoreboard, seeing I dropped four or five spots before I teed off and guys 4 under and 5 under,'' Hahn said. “I had a little anxiety.

“I told myself not to look at the scoreboard, focus on my own game. Hit some good shots, make some putts and we'll count them at the end. If I worry about how many birdies people are shooting out there, it doesn't make me feel comfortable.''

Chappell was the first to 17 under, with a birdie on the par-4 14th, breaking an eight-way tie for the lead. He three-putted for bogey two holes later, with Hahn two-putting for birdie on the 17th to get to 17 under himself. Chappell, in the last group, matched Hahn's birdie to be in Sunday's final twosome.

Contact the writer:

444-1041, stu.pospisil@owh.com

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