Defending Champion David Bradshaw and 2-time Champion Christian Brand atop the leaderboard at the 89th WVOPEN Championship.

With yesterday’s storms gone, the morning and afternoon waves of the West Virginia Open Championship took advantage of the cooler temperatures at Stonewall Resort Thursday. Defending Champion professional (p) David Bradshaw of Harpers Ferry scored six birdies on his way to tying Christian Brand of Scott Depot for the lead going into Friday’s final round.  Wheeling’s Thadd Obecny contributed his steady play and will join Bradshaw and Brand in the final grouping tomorrow morning.

“The expectation is to win tomorrow,” said Brand. “This has been one of my favorite WV Opens, with the course set up and venue. I am happy to get to battle my friend David Bradshaw tomorrow, as he is the barometer on winning this championship. I love being back with everyone in our state and competing at our state’s highest level. I missed it and look forward to many more WVGA events in the future.”

“It’s going to be an exciting finish Friday,” said West Virginia Golf Association Executive Director Brad Ullman.  “There’s no question the best golfers in the state have risen to the top of this leaderboard and we are excited for the final round tomorrow.”

“We’ve had two days of competition where the weather and the course obviously won, and now we’ve got the field ready for the final day,” said Stonewall’s Head Golf Professional Mike Rogers.

Other highlights today include four birdies and one eagle scored by both Ryan Crabtree of Falling Waters and Alex Easthom of Ravenswood.

The others joining Brand and Bradshaw, who are at six under par 138 for the first two days, in the final round of 60 Friday are:

  • Third – Thadd Obecny II (p) of Wheeling at (-3) 141;
  • Tied for fourth at even par 144 –
    Christian McKisic of Buckhannon;
    Sam O’Dell of Hurricane; and
    Mason Kidwell of Charles Town.
  • Tied for seventh at (+1) 145 –
    Clayton Thomas of Proctorville, Ohio; and
    Cam Roam of Huntington.
  • Tied for ninth at (+2) 146 –
    Tyler Shamblin of Elkview;
    Nick Fleming of Cabins;
    Ryan Bilby of Follansbee;
    Cory Dinnlinger (p) of Morgantown; and
    Howie Peterson of Weirton.
  • Tied for 14th at (+3) 147 –
    Kollin Hopwood of Elkins; and
    Jeff Ferrell of Fairmont.
  • Tied for 16th at (+4) 148 –
    Kenny Hess (p) of Parkersburg; and
    Bryan Myers of Wheeling.
  • Tied for 18th at (+5) 149 –
    Jacob Nickell of Wheeling; and
    Jared Shank of Charles Town.
  • 20th – Brian Anania of Hurricane at (+6) 150.
  • Tied for 21st at (+7) 151 –
    Samuel Berry (p) of Morgantown;
    Mason Weese of Charleston; and
    Tad Tomblin of Alum Creek.
  • Tied for 24th at (+8) 152 –
    Will Evans (p) of Charleston;
    Kurtis Grant of Morgantown;
    Pat Carter of Hurricane;
    Davey Jude of Kermit;
    Todd Duncan of Daniels;
    Ryan Crabtree of Falling Waters;
    Michael Gervais (p) of Bridgeport; and
    Brian Morrison of Barboursville.
  • Tied for 32nd at (+9) 153 –
    Cameron Jarvis of Barboursville;
    Christian Boyd of Charles Town;
    Noah Mullens of Milton;
    Craig Berner (p) of Sissonville;
    Cory Hoshor of Scott Depot; and
    Philip Reale of Hurricane.
  • Tied for 38th at (+10) 154 –
    Brian Bailey of Bridgeport; and
    Yadhu Urs of Wheeling.
  • Tied for 40th at (+11) 155 –
    Clark Craig of Fairmont;
    Cole Monroe (p) of Spencer;
    Josh Arbaugh of Morgantown;
    Jack Michael of Huntington; and
    Patrick Smith of Beckley.
  • Tied for 45h at (+12) 156 –
    Chase Wolfe of Charleston;
    Michael Koreski of Parkersburg;
    JP Cochran (p) of Benwood;
    Alex Easthorn of Ravenswood;
    Brian Hart of Bluefield; and
    Noah Mitchell of Charleston.
  • Tied for 51st at (+13) 157 –
    John Francisco of Martinsburg;
    Jeff McGraw of Princeton;
    Matt Gissy of Weston; and
    Marco Oliverio of Bridgeport.
  • Tied for 55th at (+14) 158 –
    Adam Ware of Grafton;
    Tanner Vest of Shady Springs;
    Jack Lindgren of Morgantown; and
    Christopher Neighbors of Charles Town.
  • Tied for 59th at (+15) 159 –
    Aaron Gizzi (p) of Morgantown; and
    Trenton Roush of Point Pleasant.

The final round of the championship will begin Friday morning at 7:30 with tee times off of the front and back nine. At the conclusion of play, the champion will be crowned (at approximately 3:30).

The WVOPEN Championship has a rich 88-year history. Legendary professional golfer Sam Snead holds the record for the most WV OPEN victories at 17. The defending champion is 12-time winner David Bradshaw.  The WV OPEN features the best amateur and professional golfers in West Virginia, competing for over $35,000 in prizes.

For today’s leaderboard, visit WV Open Leaderboard.  You can follow along with live scoring of the 89th West Virginia Open by CLICKING HERE.

For more information please visit wvga.org.