Cunningham leads 10-under heading to final round

Jeffrey Cunningham of West Palm Beach, Fla., says he would like to follow in the footsteps of his favorite golfer, Tiger Woods.

On Monday, Cunningham played Tiger-like in posting a nine-hole, 2-under par 33 to take a two-stroke advantage in the 10-under age division going into today’s final round.

After playing the front nine for the first round, the 10-under players will play on the back nine today to complete their two-day tournament. The first groups will tee off at 7 this morning, with the leaders scheduled to tee off at 8:20.

Just a stroke off the lead is Whit Parker of Conway, Ark., at even-par 35, followed by Trey DePriest of Monetta, Ark., at 36 and Christian Salzer of Sumter, S.C., at 37. Andrew Kozan of Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., and Anton Serafini of Lake Mary, Fla., are close at 38, while three golfers recorded rounds of 39 — Ben Fuller of Birmingham, Chrisophe Stutts of Maitland, Fla., and Thad Clark of Ellaville, Ga.

Cunningham, 10, made birdie on four holes — Nos. 3, 4, 7 and 9. He made bogey on Nos. 2 and 5.

On 9, it appeared as though Cunnigham’s birdie putt was going to lip out before it spun around and dropped in to complete the strong round.

“My putting is the best part of my game,” Cunningham said. “My iron shots were good into the greens, my putts were great and the greens were in great shape.

“I’ve been playing well.”

Cunningham finished sixth in the age division a year ago, and entered this year’s tournament confident he could make a run at the championship.

“Definitely, because I was thinking last year that when I turned 10, I would be stronger and be able to hit more greens,” he said.

Cunningham said he began playing golf when he was 3 years old, and moved from Dallas to West Palm Beach several years ago so he could play year round.

One of his strengths is being patient on the course.

“My parents keep telling me to do my routine, keep focused and stay calm,” Cunningham said.

He doesn’t plan to change anything going into today’s round.

“Play your own game,” he said. “Do what you’ve got to do.”