Billy Andrade is making just his fourth start on the Champions Tour at the Mississippi Gulf Resort Classic, but finds himself tied for the lead heading into the final round.
He posted a seven-under par 65 on Saturday, the low round of the day at Fallen Oak Golf Club. Andrade had four career wins on the PGA Tour, with his last coming in 2000.
At eight-under par, he is tied with Fred Funk who turned in a nifty five-under par 67 to move up the leaderboard and catch Andrade.
Fred Couples is coming off a win last week in California at the Toshiba Classic and got off to a fast start this week by posting a first round six-under par 66. He followed up with a 71 in the second round to get to seven-under par for 36 holes just one shot behind the leaders.
Jeff Maggert and Jay Haas fired matching three-under par 69's to tie Couples for third place at seven-under par.
Bill Glasson, Mark O'Meara and Duffy Waldorf are one more shot back at six-under par.
Defending champion Michael Allen shot a first-round four-under par 68, but followed up with an even-par 72 on Saturday to fall 10 spots to T-12.
Nick Faldo is making a rare appearance on the Champions Tour and is two-over par through two rounds.
Ben Crenshaw and Sandy Lyle are also in the field that includes nine World Golf Hall of Fame members in the Mississippi Gulf Classic.
Charles Schwab Cup points leader, Bernhard Langer posted 71-69 four-under par for the first two days and is four shots behind the leaders.
With 17 players within four shots of the lead at the Mississippi Gulf Resort Classic, Sunday's final round could prove to be a dog fight.
C Spire Wireless is the presenting sponsor of the Mississippi Gulf Resort Classic, but it is also sponsored by a consortium of 15 gulf coast businesses that realize the importance of tourism to the area.
The Mississippi Gulf coast offers white sandy beaches, superb dining opportunities, with some of the best seafood dishes known to man, a multitude of golf courses to satisfy every golfer’s dreams and a wide variety of activities that provide fun for the whole family.
Twelve resort hotel and casinos offer world-class accommodations and every amenity to please even the most discerning traveler.
Visit www.mississippi.org to plan your next to historical and beautiful Mississippi.