Walker moves to striking distance of Knoxville Open win

June 5, 2004

FARRAGUT (WATE) -- Jimmy Walker had his sights set on winning the Knoxville Open. And it's beginning to look like he just might do it.

Walker is currently the Nationwide Tour's leading money winner. With two wins already under his belt, he needs just one more to earn an automatic berth on the PGA Tour. [ more at stake ]

On Saturday, Walker fired an eight-under 64 to take the lead at 14-under-par 202 going into the final round of the Knoxville Open Sunday at Fox Den Country Club.

Justin Bolli and Shane Bertsch share second place at 12-under-par 204.

Walker came out showing he was ready to play, sinking birdie putts in six of his first eight holes. A bogey on the ninth hole was a mere stumble, as sank a five-foot birdie at the 11th and followed that with a chip shot for another at the 14th.

Even on the 18th when he got into sand, Walker remained hot, knocking a wedge shot six feet to the hole, which led to his ninth birdie of the day.

One of Friday's co-leaders, Vance Veazey, slipped to sixth place with an even-par 72. His co-leader from Friday's round, Anthony Painter, fell to a two-way tie for fourth after staying in the hunt most of the day. He hurt his chances badly by hitting two bogies and a double-bogie on the last three holes. [ Veazey and Painter take over lead ]