In Chattanooga, Tenn., University of New Mexico rising senior shot a 1-under 71 on Friday and climbed three spots to a tie for fifth place after the third round of the 108th edition of the Southern Amateur Championship.
After bogeying the third hole, Perez came back with birdies on the par-4 ninth and par-3 16th holes to get back to red figures on the day at the Honors Course. He trails leader Beau Hossler, a rising sophomore at Texas, by five strokes heading into Saturday’s final round.
Hossler posted a 2-under 70 Friday to get to 8 under for the event. According to Chattanoogan.com, second-round co-leader Greyson Murray withdrew from the tournament after going 5 over through 17 holes on a frustrating Friday. He lost a ball in the woods on the 17th hole and quit despite still being 1 under for the tournament.
Perez will tee off at 7:20 a.m. on Saturday.