Schnell Remains in Lead at Nebraska State Amateur

<?xml:namespace prefix="st1" ns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags"?>Omaha, Neb. ? Senior Brady Schnell extended his lead to four strokes by shooting a 71 Thursday in the third round of the 97th Nebraska State Amateur at Indian Creek in Elkhorn, Neb. <?xml:namespace prefix="o" ns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office"?>

 

Schnell shot a 67 and a 68 in the first two rounds, leaving him at a 10-under par 206 through three days. Brandon Crick of McCook, Neb. stands in second place with a six-under par score of 210 (65-72-73) through three days.

 

“My ultimate goal would be shooting a 67 tomorrow.” Schnell said. “The improvement this summer has come mostly from my ball striking overall, and I think I have a great chance to close this tournament with a strong round.”

 

Just last month, Schnell won the prestigious North and South Amateur Championship in Pinehurst, N.C. Schnell will also compete in three more tournaments before the U.S. Amateur, including the Nebraska Amateur at the Indian Creek Golf Course in Elkhorn, Neb. July 25-28.

 

Schnell led Nebraska in the 2005-06 season, finishing with the Huskers’ lowest stroke average of 72.67 through 39 rounds, bringing down his career stroke average to 73.90. Schnell’s highlights included a second-place finish at the Fairway Club Invitational in the fall and another second-place finish at the Ron Moore Invitational in the spring.

 

At the Ron Moore Invitational, Schnell led the Husker squad by firing a school and career-record 64 on the opening 18 holes. Schnell finished with a final score of 203 (64-70-69), beating his previous career-low round by five strokes, when he finished with a 208 (73-65-70) at the Pioneer Golf Classic in 2005.

 

Judd Cornell, a May 2006 graduate of the Husker golf team, moved up one spot in the rankings to a tie for seventh with a 73 in the third round. Cornell’s third-round score puts him at a two-over par total of 218 through three rounds.

 

Schnell and Cornell additionally recently claimed the state of Nebraska's two spots for the 106th United States Amateur Championship on Aug. 21-27. Schnell, Cornell and Capps, representing his home state of Colorado, will all represent the Husker golf team at the Hazeltine Country Club in Chaska, Minn.

 

Sophomore Trent Price was in a tie for 21st place through three rounds, shooting a 74 for a seven-over par total of 223 through three days.

 

Price established his college golf game in 2005-06, earning a 76.33 stroke average through 18 rounds. Price earned two top-20 finishes throughout the season, including a career-low round of 70 at the Ron Moore Invitational, where he also shot his low final score of 216 (69-77-70) and earned a tie for 34th.

 

Price closed his season by earning a spot in the lineup at the Big 12 Championships, where he finished with in 59th with a 239 (77-78-84).