Central Alabama has big third round, trails Indian Hills by one stroke

Photos from Day 3 of NJCAA Men's Golf National Tournament

Central Alabama Community College shot up the leaderboard on Thursday, shooting 15-under in the third round of the NJCAA Division I National Championship Tournament at Duran Golf Club.

Central Alabama heads into the final round on Friday one stroke behind Indian Hills Community College who shot 4-under Thursday and is at 29-under for the tournament.

Central Alabama's Jack Poole fired a 6-under 66 despite bogeys on 17 and 18 to take the individual lead heading into the final round at 12-under. Poole is one stroke ahead of New Mexico Junior College's Andrew Ni who shot the round of the day, a 7-under 65. Midland's Callum Bruce is also at 11-under for the tournament.

Indian Hills Community College was at over 30-under for most of the day but once again the final two holes at Duran Golf Club proved tough to manage as they finished 5-over on the final two holes.

New Mexico Junior College is in third place, shooting 3-under 285 and is 24-under heading into the final round.

Midland Community College is in fourth place at 22-under after shooting eight under on Thursday.

For the third straight day the final two holes were the toughest on the course as No. 17 yielded just three birdies and No. 18 had four players make birdie. No. 11 was once again reachable in two strokes as eight players had eagles and 42 made birdies.

For the tournament there has been 25 eagles in the first three rounds.

Indian Hills, Central Alabama and New Mexico Junior College will tee off in the final group beginning at 1:10 p.m. at Duran Golf Club.

"They are all close so get to go out and play for it tomorrow, you know, playing in same group they get to see each other eye to eye and someone will go out and shoot well enough to win it. It should be fun," Eastern Florida State College men's golf coach Jamie Howell said.