Gore Fires Record-Tying 64, Leads in Western Amateur

Jason Gore of Valencia tied a course record Friday with a seven-under 64 and moved into the lead after 3 1/2 rounds of the rain-plagued Western Amateur Championship at Point O’Woods Golf and Country Club in Benton Harbor, Mich.

Gore, a 1992 graduate of Hart High who plays at Arizona, moved into first place after 63 holes.

Gore leads U.S. Amateur champion Justin Leonard of Dallas and NCAA Division I champion Todd Demsey of Rancho Santa Fe by three strokes.

Leonard is also the Western Amateur champion.

With five holes remaining on the back nine of his second round Friday, Gore was seven under when play was halted because of darkness. Play was held up for five hours by showers during the morning round.

Following the completion of the fourth round this morning, the field will be trimmed to the low 16 players, who advance to the match-play portion of the event. The tournament concludes Sunday.

Gore’s 64 was the lowest round ever fired at Point O’Woods under pure conditions. The other round of 64 was shot during poor weather, when players were allowed to lift and clean the golf ball.

Gore is the Pacific 10 Conference champion.

Chris Zambri, a Westlake High and USC graduate, is at 217. Charlie Wi of Thousand Oaks shot rounds of 75 and 81 and missed the 36-hole cut.