Six Share Lead at One-Under

About the only way everyone who has a share of the lead in the Southern California Golf Assn. amateur championship can fit onto the top of the leaderboard is if they all hold their breath.

Six players are tied at one-under-par 209 after Saturday’s third round at Lakeside Country Club and another five are within three shots.

Craig Steinberg of Van Nuys climbed into a tie for the lead with a two-under-par 68, the only sub-par round a day after 17 such rounds.

Second-round leaders Mark Johnson of Helendale and James Camaione of Upland shot 72s and are among the six leaders.

Ed Cuff of Temecula, Jason Gore of Valencia and Jason Semelsberger of Newhall round out the leaders.

Matt Murray, a San Diego State golfer, is one stroke behind. Greg Padilla of Rancho Santa Fe and Lakeside member David Olsen are at 211 and Westlake Village Westlake High junior J.T. Kohut is tied with first-round leader Scott McGhion of Avondale at 212.

Eric Wang of Cypress had the low score among Orange County golfers with a 215 after a 71 Saturday, leaving him tied for 15th place, six strokes off the lead. Jeff Wright of Dove Canyon was at 218 and Kelly Craig of Orange at 219.

“I’m not surprised it’s tight,” Steinberg said. “But I am surprised there are so many guys up there.”

Tournament organizers could not recall an SCGA leaderboard so top-heavy heading into the final day. Players said it is a new experience for them as well.

“I’ve never seen this many guys at the top,” said Gore, who learned Friday he was selected to represent the United States in next month’s Walker Cup. “And it’s a good six guys. Everybody who is there should be there.”

Steinberg hit 17 of Lakeside’s notoriously small greens in regulation and made birdies on Nos. 2, 3 and 4. He followed with a three-putt bogey on No. 5 and parred the last 13 holes.

He said it would take a similar round today to win.

The leaders will tee off in the final two threesomes of the day today at 9:22 a.m. and 9:30.