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Utah’s Fielding tied for the Lead at Sand Hollow Open, Blair Charging
Pictured: Dusty Fielding (left), Zahkai Brown (right)
By Randy Dodson, Fairways Media
Hurricane, Utah – It’s not a far reach to claim Utah's Zac Blair as the marquee player in this year’s Sand Hollow Open. Having Blair shoot a 6-under round of 66 and charge to into the top five in the 54-hole championship makes tomorrow’s final round on the Championship Course a bit more exciting.
“I had made a couple more putts today,” said the PGA Tour member. “Yesterday I played the par 5s a little better. But today I had a couple kick-ins with some wedges which was nice.”
Blair isn’t the only Utahn perched at the top, St. George resident Dusty Fielding, a former Web.Com Tour member has carded rounds of 68-67 and is tied for the lead at 9-under with first round leader and this year’s Utah Open champion, Zahkai Brown.
If any player in the field has a home course advantage it’s Fielding. Calling Sand Hollow his home course Fielding knows every undulation on every green of the John Fought designed masterpiece.
“The game plan tomorrow is to play aggressive and make as many birdies as possible, said the 33-year-old professional. “I need to hit my driver better tomorrow.”
Fielding was pleased with his eagle on the par 5 17th hole. But making a 30-footer will do that for you.
“I was really happy with the way I played 17 today. I’ve been having trouble with that hole the last couple of weeks and today I hit a perfect 3 wood (off the tee) then really committed to my second shot with a 6-iron and then made a 30-footer for eagle.”
Also in the top 10 is former Utah State Amateur champ, now mini-tour professional Joe Parkinson. Parkinson’s rounds of 69-69 have him at 6-under and tied for the sixth spot with former Utah Open winner Nick Mason who has rounds of 67-71.
First round leader Brown cooled off a little finishing the second round with a 2-under 70 but his opening 65 keeps the Colorado pro tied for first with Fielding.
The 36-hole cut to low 35 scores and ties came in at even par 144. The final round will begin Saturday morning on the Championship Course at Sand Hollow Resort at 7:30 a.m. The public is welcome to attend free of charge.
The third annual Sand Hollow Open is presented by the Leavitt group. All players making the cut will be paid for their efforts with the champion taking home a first place check of $18,000. Utah Foster care is the tournament’s charity beneficiary.
The Sand Hollow Open 36-hole results can be found online: https://tinyurl.com/hvsnkos
Photo: Fairways Media/Randy Dodson