WHEATCROFT JUST MISSES "MAGIC" 59 ON US NATIONWIDE TOUR

COLLEGE PARK, Maryland. (AP) — Steve Wheatcoft birdied the final five holes for an 11-under 60 on Friday in the US Nationwide Tour's Melwood Prince George's County Open, missing a chance for a 59 when his 22-foot eagle putt from the fringe on No. 18 curled right and settled about 15 inches from the hole

The 33-year-old former Indiana Univerrsity player had a 16-under 126 total on the University of Maryland Golf Course to take a seven-stroke lead over England's former US PGA Tour player, Greg Owen (68).

"You don't get a shot at 59 very often. It's the magic number," Wheatcroft said.

Notah Begay III (1998 Dominion Open), Doug Dunakey (1998 Miami Valley Open) and Jason Gore (2005 Cox Classic) are the only players to shoot 59 in Nationwide Tour history.

Inverness exile Russell Knox, pictured, on his first season on the Nationwide Tour, missed the cut by one shot with rounds of 73 and 69 for level-par 142.

LEADERBOARD

Par 142 (2x71)

126 Steve Wheatcroft (US) 66 60.

133 Greg Owen (England) 65 68.

134 Jon Mills (Canada) 67 67.

Selected scores:

141 Gary Christian (England) 70 71 (T52)

MISSED THE CUT (141 or better qualified)

142 Russell Knox (Scotland) 73 69.

145 Matthew Richardson (England) 73 72

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