Wittenberg edges ahead by one at Ford Wayne Gretzky Classic

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COLLINGWOOD, Ontario, Canada -- Casey Wittenberg, perhaps best known for his runner-up finish at the 2003 U.S. Amateur Championship, moved a step closer to his first Nationwide Tour title on Saturday at the inaugural Ford Wayne Gretzky Classic presented by Samsung.

Casey Wittenberg bounced back strong from an opening bogey. (Andersen/Getty Images)

Inside the Numbers

Wittenberg thru 54 Holes

Category Total Rank Eagles 0 N/A Birdies 17 T5 Pars 35 T16 Bogeys 2 71 Double Bogeys 0 N/A Other 0 N/A Driving Accuracy 75.6% T41 Driving Distance 306.2 yds. T24 Greens in Regulation 77.8% T47 Putts per Round 27.7 1 Putts per GIR 1.643 2 Sand Saves 50.0% T16

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Wittenberg posted a 4-under 67 during the third round at the Georgian Bay Club to move to 15-under-par 199. He will carry a one-stroke advantage into the final 18 holes over Justin Hicks (67), Bubba Dickerson (67) and Sebastian Fernandez (68) -- all three of whom are also seeking their first Tour win.

"Luckily today I was able to play from the fairway," said Wittenberg, a 23-year-old native of Memphis, Tenn. "It was tough out there. The ground was so wet. But you still have to make birdies when the conditions are not good. You have to find a way to do it."

With two third-place finishes already on his resume this season (Athens Regional Foundation Classic, Bank of America Open) -- as well as eight top-20 finishes in 13 starts -- a win on Sunday would be the final push Wittenberg needs to garner one of the 25 coveted PGA TOUR cards for the 2009 season.

"I'm looking forward to tomorrow," said Wittenberg, who has finished inside the top 20 in six of his last eight starts and occupies the 13th spot on the official money list. "My goal is to get my PGA TOUR card ... I'm just fortunate enough to give myself the opportunity to get it done."

Wittenberg's round got off to a rough start with a bogey on the opening hole, but he more than compensated with birdies on Nos. 2, 7, 8, 11 and 14 to gain the coveted one-stroke lead at the end of the day.

"I got off to a tough start, but I hung in there," said Wittenberg, who leads the field in putting this week with 27.7 putts per round. "I'm just out there trying to execute ... whether it is the 54th hole or the 72nd hole."

Plenty of competition will be on Wittenberg's heels on Sunday -- including 15 players within four shots of the lead.

"Everyone will shoot under par tomorrow," said Wittenberg. "If I go out there and execute, I'd like to think I'll give myself an opportunity to win."

None of those are closer to Wittenberg than the threesome sitting one shot back, a group that includes Dickerson (the 2001 U.S. Amateur champion), Hicks (perhaps best known for leading after the first round of the 2008 U.S. Open) and Fernandez (a 34-year-old former bartender from Buenos Aires, Argentina).

Fernandez appeared to be on his way to the 54-hole lead until a double bogey on the par-4 15th hole and a bogey on the par-3 17th hole dropped him from 17 under and into the logjam at 14 under. He is hoping a win on Sunday will help blaze the same path on the Nationwide Tour that has led to 12 career wins in South America -- including the 2003 Costa Rica Open. His golfing travels have led to the European Tour (2004-05), Challenge Tour (2003, 2006-07) and the Tour de las Americas (2001-07).

Third-Round News & Notes: Due to heavy overnight rains and extremely damp conditions, preferred lies were in effect for the third round. ... Rich Barcelo had five consecutive birdies on Nos. 12-16 on his way to a 4-under 67. His streak fell two shy of the season-best birdie streak (7) set by Kevin Johnson on Nos. 4-10 at the Raven Golf Club at Lora Bay on Friday. ... Gibby Gilbert III, who has sported flip-flops the last two weeks after finding them to his liking during practice sessions in between the Rex Hospital Open and the Knoxville Open, had to use conventional golf shoes on Saturday as a result of the wet conditions. He shot a 1-under 70 and is currently in a tie for ninth place at 12-under 202. ... The 54-hole leader has gone on to win eight of 15 events this season, most recently Jarrod Lyle at the Knoxville Open. ... The team of Kyle Reifers and Tom Turner, at 39-under 175, lead the professional/amateur competition, while Colt Knost and Brett Hull are out front in the professional/celebrity competition. ... Sunday's winner will take home $144,017 out of the overall purse of $800,099. ... B.J. Staten (neck pain) withdrew prior to the start of the round.