Irwin's Dan Obremski shoots 64, leads Fuhrer by 3 strokes

Dan Obremski wasn’t perfect during the third round of the Frank B. Fuhrer Jr. Invitational on Tuesday.

But the Penn-Trafford graduate didn’t flinch when things went awry.

Obremski, 33, used strong iron play and sensational putting to fire a 6-under par 64 at the Pittsburgh Field Club and takes a three-shot lead into the final round on Wednesday. He’s at 13-under 197.

Day 1 leader Daniel McCarthy, the 2018 champion, shot a 2-under 68 and sits 10-under 200.

Obremski’s hot putter included clutch par saves on No. 11 and 18. He made a 20-foot putt for birdie on No. 4, a 16 footer on No. 7 and a 22 footer on No. 16.

“He played phenomenal,” McCarthy said. “He played great.”

Even when things didn’t go as planned, Obremski rallied to save par.

His second shot on No. 11 clipped a tree branch and his chip shot from 30 feet came up short. But he still drained a 12-foot putt for par.

His tee shot on No. 14 landed in a greenside bunker, and he hit a perfect shot to within 18 inches to save par.

“It was probably one of the best bunker shot I’ve ever hit,” Obremski said. “I was hoping to get within 10 to 15 feet.”

His drive missed the fairway right on No. 17, but his 9-iron from 175 yards hit the middle of the green and he two-putted for par.

“I just played one hole at a time and played my game,” said Obremski, who shot a 68 and 67 Monday. “I didn’t allow anything to affect me, good or bad.

“I rolled it better than ever. Monday, I felt I left some shots out there, but today I made my share of putts.”

Obremski played with the confidence of a veteran. He was bothered after McCarthy made consecutive birdies (No. 11 and 12) to pull within one.

He countered by making birdie on No. 13 and 15.

“I wasn’t particularly sharp,” McCarthy said. “I made a couple good saves but missed some putts. Considering that, 68 is a pretty good score.

“Dan played a wonderful round of golf. My hat’s off to him. I can only control what I do; he did it a lot better than me.”

The third round is called moving day in golf. Obremski was the only golfer than really made a move.

Michael Gligic, the 2019 champion who trailed David Bradshaw by seven strokes going into the final round last year, shot a 1-over 71 and is in third place at 3-under. Riley Wheeldon is fourth at 1-under, while five golfers including Bradshaw and Wexford’s Mike Van Sickle are tied for fifth at even par.

Other local golfers in the event include Pittsburgh’s Jack Katarincic at 2-over, Gibsonia’s Anthony Muscato at 3-over, McMurray’s Tom Nettles and Murrysville’s Palmer Jackson at 6-over, Washington’s Steve Wheatcroft at 7-over, Oakmont’s Spencer Mellon at 10-over, Wexford’s Jimmy Meyers at 11-over, Sewickley’s Austin Lemieux at 18-over and Irwin’s Justin Moose at 19-over.

While Obremski hasn’t won the Fuhrer Invitational, he’s been in contention numerous times.

“I know I’ve had a couple 36-hole leads, a 54-hole lead and a poor third round,” Obremski said. “I just want to try and repeat what I did today. I’m eager to see how my game fares.”