May 26, 2011

SILVIS, Ill. - (Results) Oklahoma Christian took control of the 2011 NAIA Men's Golf National Championships at TPC Deere Run Thursday. Playing 27 holes after rain shortened the first two days of action, the Eagles fired a 1-under-par 283 in the Third Round and now lead the field by 23 shots.

Oklahoma Christian opened with a 3-under-par 281 and followed with a Second Round 293 for a three-round total of 857. South Carolina - Beaufort is in second place with an 880 and British Columbia is third with an 881. Grand View (Iowa) is fourth with an 886, while Lee (Tenn.) and Johnson & Wales (Fla.) share fifth place with 890s.

As he has since the First Round, Oklahoma Christian's Oscar Stark continues to lead the 156-player field. He carded his third-straight under-par round with a 1-under-par 70 in the Third Round. He has put together rounds of 67-70-70 for a 6-under-par 207.

Andrew Robb of British Columbia is the only other individual playing even-par or better for the event. Robb matched Stark's 1-under-par 70 for a three-round total of even-par 213. He is six shots back.

A group of four golfers, Stephen Edman of Holy Names (Calif.), Michael Loppnow of Wayland Baptist (Texas), Axel Ochoa of Oklahoma Christian and George Thacker of South Carolina - Beaufort, are tied for third place with 214s.

Zach Monson of Texas Wesleyan and Travis England of St. Ambrose (Iowa) fired 4-under-par 67s in the Third Round to equal Stark's opening round for low rounds of the tournament.

Following the Third Round, the field was cut to the top-17 teams and five other individuals who cracked the top 40. The remaining players will begin the final 18 holes at 7:30 a.m. CDT. The top-three teams of Oklahoma Christian, South Carolina - Beaufort and British Columbia will be in the final group off of No. 1, taking the tee box at 9 a.m.