The 2009 Best Western Senior Open champion Sam Till of Fort Wayne leads the pack at the Mid Am after an 8-under-par 33-30=63. “I am stunned,” said Till. “I had a back issue recently and have hardly played.” Due to the injury and the injection treatment, his goal was just to stay relaxed and try to make a swing at it. “Maybe that’s the key to stay relaxed out there,” he said.

Hillcrest CC hosted 112 of Indiana’s best amateurs over 30, and the site suited Till’s game well. “I drive the ball straight enough and hit it as long as anyone needs to hit it [at Hillcrest],” said Till. Playing at only 6,430 yards, the tree-lined tight course is more about hitting it straight and putting well than power and distance.

Another low round of 64 was carded by Todd Palmer of Fishers who sits in the runner-up position heading into Friday’s final round.

First Round Results

Final Round Pairings