McKINNEY, TX, October 20, 2011 - Overnight joint-leader Ryan Brehm of Michigan is in sole 2nd place with a gutsy 71, with Ted Brown of Virginia, local Jason Hilland and the intruigingly named Trent Whitekiller of Oklahoma are tied for 3rd.
Low round of the day was a superb 65 by Chris Thomson of Kansas, which catapulted him into a tie for sixth.
Shenzhen-based, Ohio-born CJ Gatto again couldn't buy a putt as he went round in level 72, with 16 pars. In an exclusive interview with HK Golfer Gatto said that: "I had another solid round today with some potential. Only 1 birdie and it came on the par 5 16th (my 7th of the day) so I turned at one-under and felt like I was finding my rhythm. However, a poor 4 iron lead to a bogey on #2, then I 3-putted for par on the 3rd. I felt those 2 holes were key in the momentum of the round and getting a good one in. Good pars to follow though on 4,5,6 then let another opportunity get away on the par-5 7th, being greenside in two and with a pretty standard chip that I failed to convert for birdie. Closed with pars but again too many of them, 16 today. That's not going to get it done!
"I keep hanging tough and have a chance tomorrow. There are a lot of guys up there but they are officially taking 18 spots+ ties so I'm still ok. Currently E is the number. With all that has been going on and not capitalizing on some golden opportunities, I've continued to fight, make good decisions and come up with some great saves to stick in there. 67 is my target number tomorrow, I feel the birdies are there just need to go get them."
Portly Frederico Cabrera, had a 74 to slip to 18th, on the bubble, while former phenom Ty Tyron showed a glimpse of his potential with a superb 66 to be a shot out of qualifying. Tyron opened with a horrendous 79 and has battled brilliantly to be back in touch.