Woodstock, ON: Building off his second round lead Matt Hill of Forest now sits two stokes ahead of the field in first place at the Investors Group Ontario Amateur Championship at Oxford Golf and Country Club at Craigowan.

 

Despite a couple of bogeys, Hill carded an impressive third round 69 to sit at eight under par (205) for the Championship and in sole possession of first place heading into the final round on Friday. He will now enter the last 18 holes in search of the title that his older brother Graham captured back in 2005 when the Championship was last played in the London area.

 

Hill will have his work cut out for him on Friday as a strong field still remains in contention. Leading the charge is 2009 Ontario Junior Champion Albin Choi of Toronto, who carded a one under par 70 for his third sub-par round in a row. The National Development team member sits at six under par (207) for the Championship and in a tie second place.

 

Brett Cairns of Courtland shares a piece of second with Choi after a one under par third round 70 and a three day total of 207. Cairns finished the eighth hole at one under and then cruised through the last ten holes with ten consecutive pars. Both Choi and Cairns will begin Friday’s final round two strokes behind Hill.

 

Making a third round charge Cam Burke of New Hamburg quickly climbed up into contention after a three under par round of 68, which moved him into fourth place at five under par (208). Local favourite Drew Symons of Woodstock sits alone in fifth at four under par (209) after even par third round.

 

The final round will get under way on Friday morning beginning at 7:30 am with the final group of Hill, Choi and Cairns teeing off at 10:50am. The Champion will be crowned at the conclusion of play on Friday afternoon.

 

The Ontario Amateur Championship is restricted to GAO members carrying an 8.4 handicap factor or less. Past winners of the event include 2003 Masters Champion Mike Weir (1990 & 1992), Nationwide Tour player Jon Mills (2001), and Gary Cowan, who holds the record for the most Ontario Amateur Championships with nine (’64, ’68, ’71, ’74, ’74, ’75, ’77, ’78, ’81 & ’84).