SULPHUR — Neithan Allen shot a 6-under-par 65 on Saturday to claim a 12-shot advantage heading into today’s final round of the Sulphur men’s city golf championship.

Playing what he called “solid golf,” Allen has a 36-hole total of 11-under-par 131 and could break the tournament record of 200 with a 68 or better score the final day.

Defending champion John Morrissey and former champion Philip Hoffpauir are tied for second place at 143. Hoffpauir added a 72 on Saturday to go with his opening round of 71 and Morrissey shot a 75 after a 68 on Friday.

Chad Johnson is at 144 (71-73) while Sutton Farmer is at 145 (69-76) along with Chris Vallette (72-73).

Allen, who is a plumber by trade and went to high school at Grant High just northeast of Alexandria, moved into the Lake Charles area two years ago and has established himself as one of the area’s better golfers as a member at Gray Plantation.

Last week he was the top local performer in the state amateur tournament in Shreveport, tying for 20th place.

Even though he will go into the final round with a 12-shot lead, he said he will continue with the same mind-set he’s had the first two rounds, playing whatever the shot calls for.

He said he does have a big lead, but that no lead is safe.

Holding the lead in the first flight were Jimmy Guidry and Cody LeBlanc after shooting 76s on Saturday while Tony Simon paces the second flight with an opening-round 76 and Art Scarborough was the leader in the third flight with 83.

(mgnonline.com)