After being rushed to the hospital Friday due to a health scare tied to a possible panic attack, Charlie Beljan bounced back impressively and will take a two-shot advantage into the final round of the Children's Miracle Network Hospitals Classic.
Beljan complained of chest pains and shortness of breath throughout his round on Friday and was loaded into an ambulance for medical treatment immediately after signing his scorecard. Following a barrage of medical tests and only one hour of sleep, he decided to continue playing Saturday. After bogeys on two of his first three holes, Beljan rallied with four birdies across his next eight holes, ultimately firing a 1-under 71 to finish the first 54 holes at 13-under 203.
"I felt like a completely different person today," Beljan explained after the round. "I'm looking forward to a nice night's sleep tonight...and having the opportunity of a lifetime tomorrow."
The 28-year-old leads by two shots over a group that includes Brian Gay, Josh Teater and Charlie Wi. Gay and Teater both carded 5-under 67s on the Magnolia Course Saturday, tied for the best round of the day, while Wi held a share of the lead for much of the afternoon before falling back with bogeys on his final two holes.
A logjam at 10 under, three shots off the pace, includes Vaughn Taylor, who shot a 4-under 68 for the second consecutive day. Entering the week 142nd on the 2012 money list, Taylor is now projected to finish in the coveted 125th position should the leaderboard remain the same.
In search of his second win in as many starts, Tommy Gainey carded a 2-under 70 in the third round and sits alongside Taylor in the group at 10 under. There they are also joined by Robert Garrigus, who recorded his lone PGA Tour win at Disney in 2010, and Camilo Villegas, who is looking to salvage status for next season after entering this week 150th on the money list.