PITTSFORD, NY – (July 26, 2024) – Nicklaus Mason (Kansas State) birdied six of the first 10 holes on Friday, shooting a third round score of 65 to hold the lead at the 83rd Monroe Invitational. Mason is at -5 for the tournament. Three other players sit in a tie for second place at -4 – Drew Coble (Grand Valley State) had the lowest round with a 67. Cooper Smith (South Florida) carded a 68, while Jeffrey Zatorski (Texas) who led after the first round, shot a 69.
45 players made the cut of +5, with Jack Beauchamp (Texas Christian University) the lone player at the cut line.
Rochester native Kyle Downey (mid-am) and third-time participant Patrick Sheehan (Penn State) were paired in the same group, each shooting 67 to move to -3 for the tournament. At 3-under, Downey and Sheehan are tied with William Duquette (Kansas) in a tie for fifth place.
15 players remain under par for the tournament.
Round 3 Photos l Round 3 Scores
After shooting a 68 on Wednesday and a 72 on Thursday, Mason was dialed in for the third round. He took advantage from the start, going out in a 30 and burying five birdies. The rising senior at Kansas State went onto birdie the par-4 10th hole, before a streak of pars and his only bogey of the round at No. 15.
“It was really solid after a tough day yesterday,” said Mason. “I made a few mental mistakes yesterday so the main goal today was just to clean those up and to give myself as many opportunities as possible. This course is very challenging – you can’t fire at a lot of pins. Thankfully today I made a lot of putts, especially through 10 holes.”
Following his birdie on 10, the wind picked up, making the final eight holes challenging but Mason only had one bogey on the card. That stretch has allowed Mason a chance at hoisting the trophy on Saturday. “I feel good – I’m excited for tomorrow.” “Competing is why we come out here and play. It has been awhile since I have been in contention, so I am sure the nerves will be going tomorrow, but that is why you play the game – to go out and win a tournament.”
Mason has a World Amateur Golf Rating (WAGR) of 525. His most recent finish was 42nd place at the Trans-Mississippi Amateur Championship the week of July 8th.
Cooper Smith (South Florida) has the highest WAGR of the three players tied for second. He has a current ranking of 715.
Six players are at -2 in a tie for eighth place, including Declan O’Dononvan (Avondale Golf Club), James Imai (Northwestern), Carter Loflin (Georgia), Bryce Reed (Kent State), Ashton McCulloch (Michigan State), and Drew Doyle (Louisiana State University).
Final round action of the 83rd Monroe Invitational will kick off at 7:30 a.m. on Saturday. Admission is free to the public.