O'HAIR ENDS TOUGH WEEK BY WINNING CANADIAN OPEN PLAY-OFF

FROM GOLF.COM
VANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP) — Sean O'Hair turned around the worst week of his most trying golf season on an even tougher golf course.
Not even he imagined it was possible just four days ago.
Coming off a frustratingly close missed cut at the British Open, and in the midst of his worst season on the US PGA Tour, O'Hair "played horrific" in Wednesday's Pro-Am on the eve of the Canadian Open.
All of which made him savour the victory four days later that much more.
O'Hair won after tapping in for bogey on the first play-off hole Sunday, and then watching fellow American Kris Blanks lip out his bogey putt from just over 5 feet. It was the fourth US Tour victory for O'Hair, but his first since 2009 and first top-15 during a season in which he's missed 10 of 17 cuts coming in.
"Wednesday night was my worst point of the whole year," O'Hair said. "I was lost on Wednesday. To be sitting here, I just really appreciate this win."
The 29-year-old didn't see any irony in ending his slump at the Canadian Open in a season in which he's already fired a couple of Canadians - swing coach Sean Foley, who also now works with Tiger Woods, and caddy Brennan Little. He had plenty of praise for both, but did find some irony in how the week played out.
"It is ironic that I'm sitting here after Wednesday and how I felt, and to be holding this trophy is unbelievable," said O'Hair, adding the breakthrough started after reading the Bible later that night. "I ve been holding on so tight and trying to do it forcefully. Finally I just said 'You know what, it's time for me to just let go and whatever happens, happens.'"
It worked on a course that punished anyone who tried to force things.
O'Hair started three shots off the lead before shooting 68 to get into a play-off with Blanks (70) at 4-under 276. It was the second-highest winning total on the PGA Tour this season, and the first non-major without a bogey-free round since 2008. Only eight players finished under par on the tree-lined Shaugnessy Golf and Country Club, so it was perhaps fitting it was won with a bogey.
After a tough week, O'Hair didn't mind seeing Blanks miss.
"There is not one second I'm not feeling like I'm going to just puke," said O'Hair, whose $936,000 winning share was almost triple his season earnings coming into the week, and vaulted him up 104 places in the FedEx Cup play-off standings to 43rd with five weeks left in the race. "I'm sorry he missed the putt but the fact I won knowing he missed it was just overwhelming."
Playing the 472-yard, par-4 18th again, O'Hair and Blanks both drove it into the thick rough that many players compared unfavourably to the U.S. Open.
O'Hair's second shot came up short, but in the fairway, while Blanks ended up in a greenside bunker. He'd gotten up and down from the same spot on his final hole with a 10-foot putt to join the playoff, but couldn't keep it on the green the second time.
After O'Hair two-putted from 21 feet, Blanks chipped it past the hole and, putting on the same line as his last hole, lipped out.
"I'm still a little (ticked)," Blanks said despite doubling his winnings this season with $561,600, and jumping from 116 to 54th in the FedEx Cup standings. "The more I think about it, the more I'll probably get upset at the shots I gave away."
So will Argentina's Andres Romero, who was 4-over through nine holes before making five birdies in his next seven to tie for the lead. But he missed a 22-foot par putt on No. 18 that would have put him in the playoffs after leaving his bunker shot well short, finishing with an even-par 70 in the final round and alone in third place at 277.
John Daly shot 72 to finish in a four-way tie for ninth at 280 - his first top-10 in six years - with current Masters champion Charl Schwartzel, amateur sensation Patrick Cantley, and Spencer Levin, who all closed with 69s. Despite his over-par finish, Daly said he was taking lots of positives away.
"A ton," Daly said. "In the past I would have shot an 80 or 82 today."
Canadian Adam Hadwin, a local playing on a sponsor's exemption, struggled early before bouncing back late to finish with a 72 and tied with Australian Geoff Ogilvy (70) for fourth at 2-under. Hadwin, in his second year on the third-tier Canadian Tour, was 5-over after a four-putt double bogey on the par-3 8th and another bogey on the tough par-4 11th, but birdied his next three holes. The 23-year-old failed to end a 57-year drought for Canadians at their national Open, but did earn another PGA Tour start at next week's Greenbrier Classic.
"I felt like I was playing for my country out there ... brought it back and gave them something to cheer about," said Hadwin. "I ll catch a flight tomorrow. I ve got celebrating to do tonight."
NOTES: Ernie Els had the best round of day, a 66 that vaulted him into a tie for 17th in a group that also included world No. 1 Luke Donald (67). Els' best finish since March moved him to 131 in the FedEx Cup standings, while Donald moved up one spot to fifth. ... Third-round leader Bo Van Pelt was still atop the leaderboard at 5-under at the turn, but played the next five holes at 4 over to finish in a tie for sixth with Scott Piercy (69) and Woody Austin (68).
ean O'Hair beat Kris Blanks at the first hole of a sudden death play-off climax to the US PGA Tour's Canadian Open at Vancouver.

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LEFT-HANDER COCHRAN WINS SENIOR OPEN IN AMERICAN 1-2-3-4

FROM THE EUROPEAN TOUR WEBSITE

Russ Cochran upstaged some of his more illustrious counterparts to become only the second left-hander after Sir Bob Charles to win The Senior Open Championship.
The American saw off all-comers with a superb final round of 67 on a day of low scoring and high temperatures at Walton Heath Golf Club, in Surrey, to finish on 12 under par and prevail by two strokes from his compatriot Mark Calcavecchia.
The American duo of Corey Pavin and the evergreen Tom Watson finished a further stroke behind courtesy of respective rounds of 69 and 67, with England’s Barry Lane the highest European finisher on eight under par.
Cochran, who began the day as co-leader with South African David Frost and Calcavecchia, birdied the opening two holes and picked up further shots on the sixth, seventh and eighth holes to reach the turn in 31.
Calcavecchia had been keeping pace with his compatriot after birdies on the second, third and sixth holes, but a double bogey five on the par three ninth hole, where he four-putted, ultimately cost him dearly.
That left Cochran in charge of the tournament, and he came home in level par to follow in the spikemarks of Charles, who triumphed in 1989 and 1993.
The former US PGA Tour champion, who was tied third in last year’s Senior Open Championship at Carnoustie and was Rookie of the Year on the US Champions Tour in 2009, earned US$315,600 for his valiant victory.
Calcavecchia was left to rue his costly mistake on the ninth hole, but took more positives than negatives from the week.
He said: “I switched drivers today to the one I used last week at The Open and I drove it a lot better, so that’s encouraging. But the four whack on the ninth hole, those usually hurt you. The greens are tough here, but that was all my fault. I pulled both those little short putts, but that happens every now and then. So overall, I felt really good. It’s just hard to make a lot of putts on these greens, because they can be very tricky to read.”
Pavin, who captained the American Team at last year’s Ryder Cup, also found the greens difficult to decipher, but was similarly pleased with his efforts.
He said: “The greens are tough. A lot of them over here have the little rolls, so they are tough to read. I hit a pretty good putt on the 16th which didn’t go in, although I can’t really say the same for the 17th. But that’s golf, and overall I played well. It was good playing with Calc – he drove the ball really well today. We had a good day out there – it was a lot of fun.”
Watson also enjoyed his return to Walton Heath, 30 years after he played his part in America’s emphatic defeat of their European counterparts in The Ryder Cup.
The 61 year old, who finished with four 3S, said: “It’s been fun. When I played my first round on Monday, I couldn’t remember very much about the golf course. So it probably took me until today to remember some of the intricacies of the golf course, and the greens. The one thing that concerned me the most playing in The Ryder Cup were the greens here, and how difficult they were with all of the little breaks.
"I eventually remembered the strategy that I had back then – I should have remembered it earlier in the week, but I didn’t – and that strategy was just to play the line that you see, and not to worry about all of the little breaks. Just pick a line, hit it there and if goes in, it goes in. Fortunately for me today, quite a few of them went in.”
Lane, who returns to European Tour duty at next week’s Irish Open presented by Discover Ireland, was proud to have flown the flag for England with a closing round of 70 which featured an eagle at the sixth hole.
Frost could only manage a closing round of 72 to finish in sixth place on seven under par, one stroke ahead of a quartet of players which included Senior Tour champion Peter Fowler of Australia.

SENIOR OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP SCOREBOARD

WALTON HEATH GOLF CLUB, SURREY
FINAL TOTALS
Par 288 (4x72)
1 COCHRAN, Russ 72 70 67 67 276
2 CALCAVECCHIA, Mark 68 69 72 69 278
T3 WATSON, Tom 75 68 69 67 279
T3 PAVIN, Corey  72 69 69 69 279
5 LANE, Barry  71 70 69 70 280
6 FROST, David  69 74 66 72 281
T7 FUNK, Fred 72 70 74 66 282
T7 FOWLER, Peter  71 68 73 70 282
T7 RINKER, Lee  70 67 74 71 282
T7 GOODES, Mike  70 70 71 71 282
11 COOK, John 73 67 72 71 283
T12 LANGER, Bernhard 70 76 69 69 284
T12 TWAY, Bob  70 71 72 71 284
T12 BRAND JNR, Gordon 70 72 71 71 284
T12 SPITTLE, Rod 70 67 75 72 284
T16 ARMOUR III, Tommy 74 69 74 69 286
T16 JONES, Steve  73 70 73 70 286
T16 WOOSNAM, Ian 71 73 72 70 286
T16 SPURGEON, Kevin 77 66 71 72 286
T16 GILDER, Bob  72 71 70 73 286
T21 MIZE, Larry  71 72 74 70 287
T21 LEHMAN, Tom  71 72 72 72 287
T23 BROWNE, Olin  75 69 74 70 288
T23 QUIROS, Juan 75 69 74 70 288
T23 BYRUM, Tom  71 72 73 72 288
T23 HARWOOD, Mike 68 74 72 74 288
T23 BECK, Chip  73 69 69 77 288
T28 HAAS, Jay 71 74 72 72 289
T28 ALLEN, Michael 74 71 71 73 289
T28 SLUMAN, Jeff 71 73 72 73 289
T31 WOLSTENHOLME, Gary  73 73 74 70 290
T31 SENIOR, Peter  74 69 74 73 290
T31 REID, Mike 74 69 73 74 290
T34 PATE, Steve  76 72 74 69 291
T34 SIMPSON, Scott  71 74 74 72 291
T34 MASON, James D 73 73 73 72 291
T34 MASON, Carl  76 72 71 72 291
T34 BELSHAM, Mark  71 71 74 75 291
T39 MAST, Dick 73 71 74 74 292
T39 FRANCO, Angel 70 72 75 75 292
T39 O'MEARA, Mark71 72 74 75 292
T39 MITCHELL, Peter  71 73 73 75 292
T39 HAAG (AM), Randy  72 75 68 77 292
T44 MCNULTY, Mark 68 76 78 71 293
T44 FARRY, Marc  75 73 73 72 293
T44 FORSBRAND, Anders  72 72 76 73 293
T44 CURRY, Paul 76 70 74 73 293
T44 OZAKI, Joe  73 74 73 73 293
T49 ROMERO, Eduardo 72 75 73 74 294
T49 KITE, Tom 72 71 76 75 294
T49 RUTLEDGE, Jim 73 73 73 75 294
T49 O'SULLIVAN, Denis 73 74 71 76 294
T49 HUSTON, John  72 71 74 77 294
T54 OLDCORN, Andrew 73 75 74 73 295
T54 SIMSON (AM), Paul 73 73 75 74 295
T54 ROCCA, Costantino 76 72 74 73 295
T54 FERNANDEZ, Angel 77 70 73 75 295
T58 CHAPMAN, Roger 77 70 79 70 296
T58 MOULAND, Mark 71 75 76 74 296
T58 SHERBORNE, Andrew  74 74 74 74 296
T58 BROOKS, Mark 72 74 74 76 296
T58 MURPHY, James 75 73 72 76 296
63 JOB, Nick  74 74 70 79 297
T64 PATE, Jerry  74 73 77 74 298
T64 RUANGKIT, Boonchu  75 73 75 75 298
66 DALEY, Joe  71 77 77 74 299
T67 RATCLIFFE, Noel  72 75 77 76 300
T67 JOHNSTONE, Tony 73 75 72 80 300
69 BRAND, Gordon J 74 72 78 78 302
T70 GREEN, Damon 76 71 77 79 303
T70 BLACKMAR, Philip  73 75 76 79 303
T72 JAMES, Mark 73 75 80 76 304
T72 CUNNING, Mike 72 74 81 77 304
74 MACKENZIE, Albert 69 74 83 82 308
75 DARCY, Eamonn  76 72 76 85 309

SWEDE SUCCESS BY SEVEN SHOTS FOR ALEX NOREN

FROM THE EUROPEAN TOUR WEBSITE
Alex Noren did not reproduce his majestic third-round display at the Nordea Masters, but he still registered a comprehensive seven-shot victory in his native Stockholm today.
The 29 year old, who was quite brilliant in setting a course record 63 on Saturday, carded a closing 77 for a 15 under par aggregate of 273 at Bro Hof Slott.

Having birdied the first, Noren then had five bogeys and a double bogey at the 14th, but successfully negotiated the fearsome par three 17th, which has an island green.

After signing off with a birdie at the last he said: "I am so relieved. The only thing I thought of all day was the 17th.
"I said it doesn't matter how I play up to that, I just have to survive 17 and I did.

"I've never seen wind like this in Sweden. Every hole was super tough and even downwind it was hard to choose the clubs."

Speaking about winning on home soil, Noren added: "It's even more amazing at home, everyone cheering you on and you don't really feel that somewhere else.

"It's amazing, you see some friendly faces in the crowd and it's unbelievable. I'm very happy."

With an 11 shot advantage at the start of the day Noren was never likely to be caught – nobody had ever come from more than ten shots behind in the final round to win a European Tour event.

England’s Richard Finch was the only man to break par in strong winds, his three under 69 good enough for second place.
The highlight came with a 70 foot putt at the 16th – one of six birdies – although he did find the water en route to a triple bogey six at the penultimate hole.

“For seventeen holes it’s the best round of golf I’ve ever played - absolutely delighted,” said Finch. “It was a tough day. The course is tough enough as it is without however many mile an hour winds it is blowing.

“It’s the same for everyone so you just have to try and put your best foot forward so I just tried to hit the fairway, hit the green, and see where we can get from there.

“Luckily I managed to get off to a great start with a couple of birdies in the bank, and managed to keep the momentum going.”

Another Swede, sponsor’s invite Niklas Lemke, was a distant third on five under par.

Victory takes Noren into the top 70 on the Official World Golf Ranking and the top ten on The Race to Dubai.

He becomes the fifth Swedish player to win the event on home soil, capturing his third European Tour title just seven weeks after winning the Saab Wales Open
LEADING FINAL TOTALS
Par 288
273 Alexander Noren (Sweden) 67 66 63 77 (250,000 Euros).
280 Richard Finch (England) 69 72 70 69 (160,660 Euros).
283 Niklas Lemke (Sweden) 68 72 70 73 (93,900 Euros)
SCOTS' TOTALS
287 Scott Jamieson 73 71 67 76 (23,050 Euros) (T13).
300 Alastair Forsyth) 72 72 69 87 (4,838 Euros) (T56)

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DOHERTY EARNS 6,000 EUROS WITH JT FIFTH CHALLENGE FINISH

MICHAEL GIBBONS REPORTS FROM THE ENGLISH CHALLENGE
Frenchman Benjamin Hebert completed the most sensational seven days in his professional career by winning his second Challenge Tour event in the space of a week at the English Challenge.
The man from Bordeaux provided the perfect follow-up to his maiden victory in Switzerland last week by taking home the €25,600 first prize on offer at the Stoke by Nayland Hotel, Golf and Spa after a final round of two under par 70 left him two strokes clear of countryman Victor Rui at the top of the final leaderboard.
Starting the day in a tie for the lead with England’s Chris Lloyd Hebert was coolness personified as he resisted the advances of home hero Jamie Moul, Welshman Garry Houston and his good friend Rui before making crucial pair of birdies on the 15th and 16th holes to establish a four-shot lead and a fairly simple victory march to the clubhouse.
“It’s amazing, unbelievable to win again so quickly,” said Hebert who was drenched in Champagne by his fellow countryman when he knocked in the winning putt.
“I don’t know what to say or how to describe it to be honest – I am still waiting for last week’s victory to sink in and now it has happened again.
“I played solid today and kept calm on the course. I made a very important birdie on the tenth hole to go two shots ahead and then after birdeing the 16th I knew that I was four ahead and could relax a little bit.”
It was a pulsating final round at Stoke by Nayland with 23 players starting the day within four shots of the lead.
The main challengers soon emerged with Moul making a stunning start in front of a jubilant home crowd. The Englishman birdied four of his first five holes to tie Hebert and Kennedy before the last group had teed off, but two cruel double bogeys quickly followed to end Moul’s valiant final round effort.
Houston then appeared at the top of the leaderboard before Rui and Hebert turned the final few holes into an all-French affair which Hebert finally took control of with two holes to play.
The 24 year old is now fifth on the Challenge Tour Rankings with earnings of €57,780 after his dream week. Hebert joins another French player Edouard Dubois as the second multiple winner of the Challenge Tour and both will now be focusing on winning a magical third event of the season that would guarantee instant promotion to The European Tour.
Jack Doherty’s valiant late charge for the title came up short after the Scot’s final round 67 saw him finish in a tie for fifth place which earned him 6,000 Euros.
Doherty’s five under effort – the second lowest score of the day – saw him post the clubhouse lead at eight under par but he was eventually overhauled by Frenchman Benjamin Hebert.
While Doherty scaled the leaderboard on the final day, Andrew McArthur had a frustrating two over par finish to the week having hauled himself into contention with a brilliant 68 in brutal conditions on Saturday afternoon.


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HUGH HUNTER'S CLACKMANNAN COUNTY NEWS

Clackmannan county championship leading prizewinners (Left to right): handicap winner Jim McAdam, county president George Kay, trophy-winner Lawrence Allan, third-placed Scott Moffat, Lawrence Allan and runner-up Jamie Aitken.

OUTSTANDING GOLF AT CLACKMANNAN CHAMPIONSHIP


There was enough material there to write a book - from the Clackmannan county championship at Braehead - the youngest county champion in the 108- year history of the event, TWO holes in one from two Scotts, a junior golfer holding three county titles and the continuance of the second golden age for Alva Golf Club.
Over the well presented Braehead course, in sunny weather, 17 year old Lawrence Allan took the 2011 title in some style with a 65 in his second round which overtook the first-round leading scores. In winning the title by two shots, another record was set whereby Lawrence added the 2011 county championship to his 2011 boys' stroke and match-play titles.
In the first round, Lawrence opened quietly with a two over par round of 72 leaving him in tenth place. The leading score of 67 came from county match- play champion and long-hitting Scott Moffat, helped by a hole in one at the par 4 293yd fourth.
Scott’s double eagle or albatross was achieved with a three wood from the tee on to the green and curling down the slope into the hole. Close behind in round one were Jamie Aitken (Alloa) on 68 and another local favourite Ross Benvie with a 69.
With the top players fading slightly in round two, it was Lawrence who grasped the opportunity with a well-compiled 65, containing five birdies plus an eagle at the 296 yard uphill ninth.
Another Scott - Scott Wilson (Braehead) - holed his 8 iron tee shot at the par three 6th--- the ball checking 5 ft from the hole and again rolling sideways into the hole, producing a spectator roar heard all around the golf course.
In presenting the prizes and congratulating the new champion, county president George Kay complimented the golf club and reminded the company that Lawrence Allan senior won the county championship 33 years ago


FULL SCORES (36 hole totals)


1. Lawrence Allan (Alva) 137 (72, 65)
2. Jamie Aitken (Alloa) 139 (68, 71)
3. Scott Moffat (Braehead) 139 (67, 72)
4. Scott Borrowman (Dollar) 141 (70, 71)
5. Jim Muir (Braehead) 143 (73, 70)

OTHER TOTALS

143 J Maxwell, R G Lyons, R Benvie
145 M Rust
146 P Macleod, M Robertson
147 A Aitken, J McAdam
148 S McIvor, S Horne


In the Handicap section, J McAdam (Tulliallan) on 131 (63, 68) won by four shots from S Kenny (Alva) 135 (72, 63).
In the qualifying competition to select the Clackmannan County Club representative for the Scottish Club Championship to be held at Falkirk Tryst on the 25th September, the Alva team ( Lawrence Allan, Steve McIvor and Michael Robertson) on 281 won by a single shot from the home team Braehead (282) with Tulliallan 285 and Alloa (288) in third and fourth places.
Alva will be making their first appearance in the National Final and will be hoping for success to take them to the European Club final later in the year.
Left to right below: Lawrence Allan, Michael Robertson and Steve McIvor.

 THE DISAPPOINTMENTS OF GOLF
One measure of as good golfer is the ability to bounce back from a not so good performance Just recently, Alva’s Lawrence Allan took the Braehead boys Open with a fine round of 66, winning by 7 shots from Grant Murray. He must have been confident on making the trip to Nairn for the Scottish boys' stroke play, but with rounds of 75 and 76 his 7 over par score proved one shot too many to reach the final stages.
His remarkable win in the county championship is more than adequate compensation. In just over a week’s time Lawrence is one of the w0 Scots competing in the British boys' championship at Burnham and Berrow near Bristol. With a world wide field, the standard is sure to be high.


Tulliallan’s Bob Stewart also had a disappointing week in the Seniors Match Play at Monifieth---with a fine 69 in his second round, Bob qualified for the match play in sixth place but lost out in the first round to Iain Stewart (Kilmarnock Barassie) by one hole. Bob quickly bounced back to win the Braehead seniors Open with a fine 69.


Bob is also entered in the British Seniors Amateur event at the Dunluce Links of Royal Portrush Golf Club from August 3 to 5. There are 16 Scots among the 144 entries playing 54 holes with a cut after two rounds. Stretching to over 7000 yards, Royal Portrush is a Harry Colt master piece, and with two holes named “Calamity” and “Purgatory” it sounds a daunting prospect before you have even hit a shot!


COUNTY JUNIORS MAKING THEIR MARK


It is good to see success by County Junior golfers and new names appearing in the Glenbervie Junior Open. Braehead’s Grant Blair took thrd place with a scratch 75 behind two local members and in the 14 and under category, Alloa’s Gregor McEwan took the first handicap spot with a net score of 64.

NOSTALGIC TRIP FOR JOHN
Tillicoultry’s John Gullen marked his 30th anniversary of winning the Scottish boys' stroke play event by playing in the Bellshill Salver last weekend. In 1981 John won a play off for the title after 4 rounds of 74…
Thirty years later his score was ... 74 which gave him a top ten finish..


MACMILLAN CARE BENEFITS FROM THE BONNY BIRDIES


Last week’s efforts of the Bonny Birdies (Liz Stewart, Maggi Davidson, Eileen McLeod and Claire Milne) in playing a four-round golf marathon over Dunblane, Muthill and Schawpark golf courses have been rewarded by generous donations from friends , family and golf supporters. To date the four have raised over £2500 towards Macmillan Cancer Care. Liz is delighted “ We are very grateful to all those who have supported us and all the donations were very much appreciated--- if anyone still wishes to support us, there is still an opportunity either directly to ourselves or via the web site www.justgiving.com/teams/forebonniebirdies which has the added advantage of a tax “top-up” for taxpayers.”

COLLEGE KIDS LEAD THE PROS IN US NATIONWIDE TOUR EVENT

FROM THE GOLF.COM WEBSITE
COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Saturday was College Spirit Day at the Nationwide Children's Hospital Invitational so it seemed only fitting that a couple of recent college graduates stole the spotlight from the professionals.
Louisiana State Universitiy's John Peterson birdied three of his final five holes and maintained his lead after three rounds at Ohio State University's Scarlet Course. Peterson's 14-under 199 total is one shot better than college rival Harris English of Georgia University, who carded a bogey-free 68.
"We had our college stuff on and it was just the two of us out there together. It really didn't feel like a professional tournament," said English, dressed in his red Bulldog shirt. "We were joking on the range that we thought our college coaches were going to show up at some point, and they still might."
If they do, they'll find a couple of relaxed 22-year olds who aren't feeling any pressure and have nothing to lose. Neither will count in the money payoff in the $800,000 event, so the first-place check of $144,000 will go to the highest finishing pro.
Currently that honour falls to Texas Christian University gradyate and rookie pro James Sacheck, who charged into contention by matching the course record with an 8-under 63. Sacheck's 11-under total puts him three back of the leader, Peterson, who has held a one-shot advantage after each of the first three rounds.
"You never know who's going to play well. It might be you, it might be the guy you're playing with, it might ba a guy three or four back and they beat you by five," said Peterson, who hit 16 greens but had 32 putts. "You've always got to stay aggressive, especially on this Tour. It's not like you're playing a U.S. Open where pars are good, pars don't get you anywhere here."
Columbus native Kyle Reifers (68), Kansas State's Aaron Watkins (68) and 38-year old Brian Smock (69) of San Diego are tied for fourth place, four off the pace.
Leading money winner Mathew Goggin (66) of Australia and Clemson's Matt Hendrix (68) are tied for seventh, five back.
Reigning U.S. Amateur Champion Peter Uihlein (70) of Oklahoma State is one of four players tied for ninth heading into Sunday chase
Peterson, dressed in a yellow LSU shirt and purple pants, struggled through most the day and had fallen back to even-par for the day after a bogey at No. 12. He was at 11-under and two back of his playing partner, English.
"I didn't hit it good early," said Peterson, winner of the 2011 NCAA Individual Championship. "I needed to finish strong because Harry had me by a few."
Birdies at Nos. 14, 16 and 18 restored the order just as it stood after the second round.
English, who celebrated his 22nd birthday Saturday, turned the front nine in 3-under par to overtake his playing partner and friend for the lead.
"I played solid today and kept the ball in front of me and felt like I hit a lot of greens," said English, winner of last week's prestigious Southern Amateur Championship in Palm Harbor, Florida.
"I left myself in good spots, which is what you have to do out here. I didn't really let anything get away from me and made a lot of pars."
English also hit 16 greens in regulation but faced a bundle of birdie putts from 20-feet-plus on the back nine and had to settle for nine consecutive pars coming in.
* There have been two previous amateurs who have won on the Nationwide Tour --Daniel Summerhays 2007, Nationwide Children's Hospital Invitational. Russell Henley, 2011 Stadion Classic at UGA.
* There are three amateurs currently in the top 10 -- John Peterson (1st), Harris English (2nd) and Peter Uihlein (T9). None of the three are eligible to receive any money and the final payouts will be divided only among the professionals. First-place money is worth $144,000 and second-place money is $86,400.
* Leading Nationwide Tour money winner Mathew Goggin also moved into contention with a 5-under 66. Goggin won the Panama Claro Championship to open the season and was also victorious at the Preferred Health Systems Wichita Open. A win here would give Goggin the Tour's "3-win promotion" to the US PGA Tour for the rest of this season. He is 9-under for the tournament and tied for seventh.
* Kyle Reifers is T2 in Driving Accuracy (31 of 42 --73.8 percent) and first in Greens in Regulation (46 of 54 -- 85.2 percent). He is tied for 48th in Total Putts with 92.
* Harris English continues to lead in Total Putts (80) despite 31 putts in Saturday's round.
* John Peterson leads the field in Total Birdies with 20.
* Matthew Richardson is the leading Brit on three-under 210 with scores of 73, 67 and 70 for a share of 34th place. Inverness exile Russell Knox is tied for 58th place on 214 with scores of 67, 73 and 73. Richardson's English compatriot Gary Christian is joint 61st with 73, 69 and 73 for 215.

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