McNabb in position for major success at PGA Professional Championship

   Dave McNabb, the head pro at Applebrook Golf Club, carded a hard-working 1-over 73 over the Sunriver Resort’s challenging Crosswater Course in the third round of the PGA Professional Championship Tuesday to stay very much in the hunt for a berth in the PGA Championship.

   The adventurous third round over the 7,350-yard, par-72 Crosswater layout left McNabb tied for 10^th at 1-under 214. The top 20 finishers after Wednesday’s final round will earn tickets to the PGA, the last of the four major professional championships each year, Aug. 10 to 13 at the Quail Hollow Club in Charlotte, N.C.

   McNabb, who also earned a trip to next week’s U.S. Senior Open at Salem Country Club in Peabody, Mass., had four birdies and five bogeys Tuesday. McNabb qualified for the PGA the last time the PGA Professional Championship was played at Sunriver in 2013 and again in 2014.

   The Philadelphia Section PGA’s only other representative who survived the cut to 90 players and ties after the second round, Merion Golf Club head of instruction Mark Sheftic, survived the cut to the low 70 and ties after Tuesday’s third round right on the number.

   Sheftic matched McNabb’s 1-over 73 Tuesday to get to 5-over 220 through three rounds.

Rod Perry, the head pro at Crane Lakes Golf & Country Club in Port Orange, Fla., carded a 2-under 70 Tuesday for a 7-under 208 total. Perry won the event traditionally known as the National Club Pro the last time it was played at Sunriver in 2013.

   His closest pursuer is Matt Dobyns, who posted a 1-under 71 and is at 4-under 211. Dobyns, the head pro at Fresh Meadows Country Club in Lake Success, N.Y., won the second of his two PGA Professional Championship titles two years ago at Philadelphia Cricket Club.