COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Derek Fathauer shot a 2-under 69 on Friday to take a three-stroke lead in the Nationwide Children’s Hospital Championship, the third of four events in the Web.com Tour Finals.
Fathauer, 13th on the Web.com Tour’s regular-season money list to secure a 2014-15 PGA Tour card, had a 10-under 132 total on Ohio State’s Scarlet Course. He opened with a 63.
“Yesterday’s round was something special, so it’s hard to follow up something like that,” Fathauer said. “But overall I was pleased with my round today.”
The top 25 players on the Web.com money list are competing against each other for PGA Tour priority, with regular-season earnings counting in their totals and the final leader getting a spot in The Players Championship.
“I feel like I’m playing well enough, but who’s to say where I end up,” Fathauer said. “I think what I found from last week is just staying patient and sticking to my game plan. I’ve got another shot at it this week and I’ll just try to improve on last week.”
The other players — Nos. 26-75 from the Web.com Tour money list and Nos. 126-200 in the PGA Tour’s FedEx Cup standings — are fighting for another 25 cards based on their earnings in the four tournaments.
Vaughn Taylor was second after a 69.
“I think overall I’m in good shape, so I just want to keep doing what I’m doing on the weekend and just stay in the present,” Taylor said. “The greens are firm and it’s really hard to get to some of the pins now. You can’t even play at some of them. You have to play away and try to get your two-putts. They’re tough.”
Justin Thomas was 6 under after a 69. Kyle Stanley and Sean O’Hair were 5 under. They also shot 69.
Web.com Tour money leader Carlos Ortiz missed the cut with rounds of 72 and 79. He won three times this season to earn a full PGA Tour exemption.
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