2007 champ still in running at charity golf tourney

By Case Keefer (contact)

Saturday, Oct. 17, 2009 | 8:11 p.m.

Justin Timberlake Pro-Am Tournament

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Although last year’s champion, Marc Turnesa, bowed out of the Justin Timberlake Shriners Hospitals for Children Open on Friday, 2007’s top man, George McNeill, is still very much in it.

McNeill had the best round of the day on Saturday with an 8-under 63. He enters the final round two strokes back from the co-leaders.

“I’m feeling a little more comfortable with my swing,” McNeill said. “We will see tomorrow if it can hold up.”

McNeill’s success in the tournament came out of nowhere. He has missed the cut in the last four tournaments he participated in.

He said it helped his game to get back to TPC Summerlin.

“I have a good feeling when I come here,” McNeill said. “It’s always nice to go back to places where you played well.”

Piercy in familiar position

Scott Piercy has only held a PGA Tournament lead going into the final day once before.

That once was last week at the Turning Stone Resort Championship in Verona, N.Y. Piercy struggled on the final day at Turning Stone with a 3-over 73 to finish in 12th place.

Piercy said his poor putting plagued him on the final day.

“I worked on my putting when I came home,” Piercy said. “The putter has been a little bit better this week. If I hit it like I did in New York and the putter keeps rolling, then I might have what we want.”

Former Rebel roundup

Charley Hoffman had one of the best rounds of the day with a 7-under 64 at TPC Summerlin and enters Sunday three strokes from the lead at 14-under.

“All in all, a pretty good round,” Hoffman said. “I let a few slip out there, but 64 is always pretty good.”

Ryan Moore, who entered the day one stroke back, had a little more trouble. He finished with a 1-under 70 and is four strokes behind heading into Sunday.

Chris Riley shot a 4-under 67 to go to 9-under for the tournament. Bill Lunde shot a 3-under 68 to improve to 7-under for the tournament.

Chad Campbell, of course, is the co-leader entering the final day at 17-under.

Hoffman said he would like to see a Rebel win the tournament to honor UNLV golf coach Dwaine Knight.