LAKEWOOD RANCH, Fla. — Spencer Ralston fired a respectable 2-under par 69 to sit at 11-under following Saturday's third round of the LECOM Suncoast Classic.
However, in a field where the cut was set at 6-under on Friday -- and four players shot 62 and another a 59 -- the Gainesville native will probably need a career round to have any shot at winning his first Korn Ferry Tour event.
Ralston sat at 12-under heading into the final two holes of his round Saturday with a chance to perhaps be the leader in the clubhouse. But a bogey on the Par 4 18th -- his third of the day, all on the back-nine -- dropped him into a tie for 30th, seven shots off the lead.
The day began solid with seven pars to go with birdies on Nos 4 and 8 on the front-nine to move to 11-under. Ralston then added a birdie at 10 before back-to-back bogeys on 11 and 12. But an eagle at the Par 5 14th pushed him back to 12-under with four holes left.
Going back to last week's Korn Ferry event, Ralston may be enjoying his best stretch as a pro. He has posted five consecutive rounds in the 60s and has made two straight cuts for the first time this season as he heads towards Sunday's final round.
