Fort McMurray, AB (SportsNetwork.com) - Joel Dahmen posted a 4-under 68 on Saturday and he stretched his lead to five strokes after 54 holes of the Syncrude Boreal Open.
Dahmen ended three rounds at 19-under-par 197. After setting the tournament's 36-hole scoring mark, he also established the 54-hole scoring record with his total of 197. Danny Sahl had the old mark at 202, which he posted in 2011.
Timothy Madigan fired his second straight 6-under 66 to jump into second place at 14-under 202. Defending champion Riley Wheeldon and Daniel McCarthy both fired 66s to move into a share of third place at minus-13.
Dahmen, who collected his first career win on the PGA Tour Canada at the season-opening PC Financial Open, got off to a quick start with birdies on the first and third at Fort McMurray Golf Club.
The Order of Merit leader parred four in a row before making birdie on No. 8. Around the turn, Dahmen birdied the par-5 11th to move to 19-under. He capped his round with seven straight pars.
There was a six-hour weather delay before the round due to heavy rain. The rain created standing water on the ninth green, which forced officials to close the hole for the round. Players played on a 17-hole course, and were awarded pars on the par-4 ninth.
No decision has been made regarding play on the ninth hole in regards to the final round.
NOTES: Dahmen and Persons, who have won the first two events of the season, are among 13 players that have made the cut in each of the first two events this year ... Prior to this season, Dahmen's best finish was a tie for third at the 2012 Dakota Dunes Casino Open ... Adam Cornelson, who is tied for 26th place, had a hole-in-one on the par-3 sixth.
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