PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. – Aaron Clark shot a 2-under 70 in windy conditions Saturday for a share of the third-round lead with Scott Berliner in the Callaway Golf PGA Assistant Championship.
Clark, a PGA apprentice at Twin Oaks Country Club in Springfield, Mo., matched Berlioner at 7-under 209 on PGA Golf Club's Wanamaker Course. Berliner, a PGA assistant pro at Normanside Country Club in Delmar, N.Y., had a 71.
The tournament winner will receive a spot in the PGA Professional National Championship in June, and the top 10 finishers and ties will get berths into the first stage of the 2012 PGA Tour qualifying tournament.
Berliner expects the wind to play a factor again Sunday.
"If the wind is going to be the same as it has been the last two days, which I think it will, it is going to be really hard tomorrow," Berliner said. "I have to be a little more committed and hit each shot, not second guess myself in the middle of my back swing."
Clark had three-back nine birdies.
"My round wasn't too bad all things considered," Clark said. "The hole locations were tough and with the wind picking up it was really my for a rough day for everybody. Once the really picked up in the afternoon you had to be spot on to get the ball close."
Anthony Casalino of Willow Ridge Country Club in Harrison, N.Y., and Ryan Sikora of Pittsburgh Field Club in Pennsylvania were a stroke back. Sikora shot a 69, and Casalino had a 71.
"I have started my rounds off pretty bad the first three days and had to make up ground with birdies on the back each time," Sikora saud. "If I can eliminate those early mistakes then I will have a real chance tomorrow afternoon."
Defending champion Frank Bensel of Century Country Club in Purchase N.Y., was tied for 24th at 1 over after a 72.
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