October 19, 2008–Las Vegas golf course TPC Summerlin fought back a little with the leaders of the Justin Timberlake Shriners Hospitals for Children Open. Gone for the second-round leaders were scores in the low 60s. Co-leader Matt Kuchar fired a 71 after back-to-back rounds of 63, while fellow leader Marc Turnesa finished with a 3-under par 69 after a combined 18-under par effort in the opening two rounds of Las Vegas PGA Tour event. But low scores were still out there, and PGA Tour veteran Chris Dimarco poured it on with a 9-under par 63 to jump into a tie for second entering the final round. Michael Allen shot a 64 and is tied with Dimarco. FULL LEADERBOARD.
"The pin placements are a little more difficult, but I just wasn't hitting it quite as good as I had been on the front nine so I didn't really give myself that many opportunities," said Turnesa following the round. "I found myself in the rough a few times, just in the rough, and it's tough to gauge the distance out of the rough. So pin placements are a bit more difficult, but it was still out there. I mean, you saw the scores. There was I think a 63 or 62 maybe. So, I mean, it's still out there. I just wasn't quite getting my ball in position to attack the holes on the front nine."
… The Justin Timberlake and Friends concert on Friday night was a topic of discussion during the day with some of the pros thinking they had an advantage by getting a good night's sleep by not attending the mega-concert, while others seemed to have dealt with the late night pretty well. "No, I didn't (go)," Allen told the media when asked if he had attended the show. "I had that going for me. See, that's experience, too." But Las Vegas' Charley Hoffman did go to the show and managed to post a 4-under par 68 on Saturday. He stands in a tie for 21st at 14-under par. Also, Fred Couples was reportedly at the concert and he posted a 3-under par 69 and is in a tie for 17th. The benefit concert reportedly earned more than $1 million for the Shriners Hospitals for Children.
… Check out nice video feature from KLAS-TV, CBS affiliate sportscaster Michael Berk about the Wednesday pro-am that featured Justin Timberlake playing with Couples while Ellen Degeneres goofed around during the round. In a funny line, Ellen tells Timberlake that she thought he had invited her to "go clubbing" not "bring her golf clubs."
… The Hill at TPC Summerlin, the VIP sports bar atmosphere, is the place-to-be at the tournament and is gaining popularity. The experience includes dozens of big screen TVs pumping out the football games, beverages and food offered up from some of the best restaurants in Las Vegas including the Palm. The Palm is offering filet mignon sandwiches for just $5. The view of the golf action is also great as fans can watch holes 16-18 from the Hill. The tournament vibe is elevating for the fans and organizers say that attendance has already far surpassed that of 2007.
… The golfers with ties to Las Vegas are led by former UNLV All-American Ryan Moore is tied for 8th entering the final round. Chad Campbell, another Rebel, is in a tie for 1tth followed by Hoffman, who was on the 1998 UNLV National Championship team. Las Vegas residents Dean Wilson, John Riegger and Nick Watney are all tied for 39h. Watney was on contention but a 73 on Saturday ended his chances. Mike Ruiz, another former Rebel, was in a tie for 65th after posting a 3-under par 69.