USC extends its lead on Day 3; Park & Meadow battling for individual title | Golf News and Tour Information [Video]

ATHENS, Ga. — While the third day of a 72-hole tournament is commonly considered “moving day,” only the Auburn Tigers — who drew inspiration from the brief presence of Coach Kim Evans, recovering from recent surgery to treat ovarian cancer — succeeded in matching USC’s third-round three-under 285. At 19-under 845, USC turned its 12-shot, 36-hole lead into a 17-shot cushion over Duke — the only other team under par — with only 18 holes remaining. Tied for third place are Purdue, UCLA and defending champion Alabama, who shot 13-over 301 Thursday.

High temperatures and low humidity nearly turned the already firm and fast UGA GC greens to hardwood tabletops, and only 15 players managed to break par. But the Trojans grinded through the front nine and shot eight under on the back to post respective scores of 69 and 70 from freshmen Kyung Kim and Annie Park, 72 from …