Bradshaw in final pairing as he seeks 4th Fuhrer Invite title

Players with West Virginia ties will be paired in the final round on the 38th annual Frank B. Fuhrer Jr. Invitational on Wednesday at Pittsburgh Field Club.

It’s uncertain if either will sing the late John Denver’s hit song “Country Roads” if either wins the tournament.

Three-time champion David Bradshaw, who played golf at Shepherd (W.Va.) and is a native of Harper’s Ferry, and recent WVU grad and Greensburg resident Mark Goetz are the golfers to beat when play resumes.

Bradshaw shot 2-under-par 68 on Tuesday and is 3-under heading into the final round. Goetz, who recently turned pro, also shot 2-under 68 during the third round and sits at 2-under for the tournament.

Ready to seize the title if the two front-runners falter are West Palm Beach, Fla., native Piri Borja, Wexford native Mike Van Sickle, Oakmont native Spencer Mellon or Wheeling, W.Va., native Thadd Obecny II.

Borja is 1-under; Van Sickle, a former champion, is even; Mellon is 1-over; and Obecny II is 3-over.

Mellon, the first-round co-leader, was 3-under for the day at one point in his round but stumbled down the stretch.

Bradshaw had a bogey-free round that included birdies on Nos. 5 and 15.

“Knowing the slopes of the greens are important,” Bradshaw said. “I hit the ball really well. I didn’t putt very well.”

Bradshaw trailed Goetz by a shot heading to the back nine. Goetz got to 4-under after a birdie on No. 15, but he misread a putt on No. 16 for bogey and he bogeyed No. 18 when he pulled a 7-iron to the left of the green.

“I’m in a good position,” Goetz said. “I was hoping to be in one of the final three groups. I played well. Like any round, you’re going to leave a few shots out there, especially here. I’m pleased how I’m playing.”

Bradshaw, 39, got to 3-under with a birdie on No. 15.

“Knowing the course and being in the final group previously should help,” Bradshaw said. “I don’t know, but I’ve heard good things about (Goetz), and I’m excited to see him play. It should be a lot of fun.”

There is a $200,000 purse, with $40,000 going to the winner.

Three players are tied for seventh at 4-over: Barberton, Ohio’s Chase Johnson; Delray Beach, Fla., native Eric Cole; and Southern Pines, N.C., native Michael McGowan.

Irwin native Dan Obremski is 10th at 5-over.

The low amateur is Wexford native and Penn State player Jimmy Meyers at 10-over. Sewickley native J.F. Aber is at 11-over.