David Bradshaw closing in on 4th title at Frank B. Fuhrer Invitational

Most golfers consider Round 3 of a tournament as moving day.

There wasn’t much movement, however, during Tuesday’s round at the annual Frank B. Fuhrer Jr. Invitational at Pittsburgh Field Club, and that was just fine for three-time champion David Bradshaw.

The Harper’s Ferry, W.Va., native, who competes on the McKenzie Tour in Canada, played his third consistent, under-par round by carding a 1-under 69.

He heads into Wednesday’s final round at 6-under 204.

Bradshaw holds a five-shot lead over Michigan native Ryan Lenahan, who shot an even-par 70 in the third round and is at 1-under 209 for the tournament.

The only player to gain on Bradshaw was Michael Gligac, who shot a 2-under 68. He is tied for ninth at 1-over 211.

Bradshaw put himself in great shape in 2012, ’15 and ’16, and placed second in ’13 and ’17 to Mike Van Sickle.

“I like this course. It fits my game,” Bradshaw said. “I think the greens here are made for lag putting. You can’t be too aggressive. You’re forced to get your putt close.”

Bradshaw’s round started with a bogey on No. 1. He rebounded with consecutive birdies on Nos. 7 and 8. He added the third birdie of his round on No. 11

After giving up a shot on No. 14, he carded a birdie on No. 16.

On No. 17, Bradshaw had a tricky 6-footer for par. His putt hung on the lip for nearly 10 seconds before falling.

“I could see it still moving,” Bradshaw said. “I knew it was going to fall, and it was well inside the time limit. It fell because of gravity, not the wind.”

When Bradshaw watched his putt stay on the edge, he let everyone know vocally that the ball was still moving.

He bogeyed the final hole, but still maintained a comfortable lead.

Lenahan said getting to play in the final paring Wednesday will be good because he will know where he stands on the leaderboard.

“I wish I was a little closer, but I’m in a good place,” Lenahan said. “I just have to play my best, and hopefully he doesn’t.”

Five golfers are tied for third at even par — defending champion Daniel McCarthy, Eric Cole, Washington native Steve Wheatcroft, Matt Schall and Pittsburgh Field Club member Jack Katarincic.

Penn-Trafford graduate Dan Obremski is tied for 11th at 3-over, and Franklin Regional graduate Palmer Jackson is tied for 14th at 4-over with Pittsburgh’s Beau Titsworth and Indiana’s Matt Holuta, among others.

Jackson had an up-and-down round Tuesday. He got hot on the back nine after he sank a 30-foot par putt on No. 12.

He followed with two consecutive birdies and a chip in for an eagle 3 on No. 15.

Among other notable scores, Van Sickle, a Pine-Richland graduate and former Fuhrer tournament champion, is tied for 24th (220). Central Catholic graduate Jimmy Meyers is tied for 27th (221). Irwin native Justin Moose is 32nd (225). Greensburg’s Mark Goetz is 33rd (227). Washington’s John Popeck is 35th (231); and Pittsburgh native Bob Friend is 36th (232).