TRINITY, Texas – LSU’s defending NCAA Champion Austin Ernst took care of the front nine and teammate Emily Tubert of Arkansas took care of the back night, helping push the United States team to the verge of the Gold Medal entering Saturday’s final round of the Spirit International Amateur golf tournament at Whispering Pines Golf Club.
Ernst birdied three holes in the best-ball competition on the front nine and then Tubert erased a bogey and birdied four of the last seven holes to give the American women a 6-under round as part of a 9-under total with the U.S. men that give the Americans the lead in the competition after 54 holes.
The Americans combined best-ball (best women’s-best men’s score) total of 135 puts them at 20-under par 412 (133-144-135), three shots clear of Denmark at 17-under 415 (after a 9-under par round of 135 as well) with Argentina one more shot back in third at 16-under 416 (after their own 9-under round). Tied for third with Argentina is first and second round leader Canada, which was just 2-under for the third round.
The Ernst-Tubert USA team shot 66 on the day for their best ball and is in third place at 10-under par 206, presently in Bronze Medal position, just two shots out of the lead of Argentina at 204 (69-68-67). Korea is second at 11-under, followed by the American college duo (69-71-66).
The American men of amateur champions Kelly Kraft and Nathan Smith fell to fifth in that competition at 10-under 206, behind the lead of Canada at 15-under 201.
The final round to determine the medals is set to be played on Saturday with live scoring at www.golfstatresults.com. Live web video coverage of the event is slated to begin at 10 a.m. CST at www.thespiritgolf.com.