So easy an amateur can do it: Peterson, English front Nationwide event

• By Jon Levy
• Jul 23, 2011 8:23 PM ET

It seems fitting that on a university golf course a pair of amateur, recent college grads are leading the way at the Nationwide Children’s Hospital Invitational.

John Peterson, who won the NCAA Championship for LSU in June, and Harris English, a Georgia grad who won the Southern Amateur last week, are in first and second place after three rounds at Ohio State's Scarlet Course in Columbus, Ohio.

Peterson led English through 36 holes by a shot and after each posted 3-under 68s in Round 3, he maintains that margin at 14 under for the tournament, three clear of James Sacheck, who posted an 8-under 63 to vault into third at 11 under.

“We had our college stuff on and it was just the two of us out there together. It really didn’t feel like a professional tournament,” English said. “We were joking on the range that we thought our college coaches were going to show up at some point, and they still might.”

Even if their coaches don’t come to see the final-round fireworks in Ohio, reigning U.S. Amateur champ, Peter Uihlein, from Oklahoma St., will keep them company to make for a truly amateur experience this week, as he's also in the mix in a tie for ninth at 7 under.

All three players vie to become the third amateur to win an event on the Nationwide Tour. Russell Henley won the Stadion Classic at UGA in May as an amateur.

Follow the action during the final round with GolfChannel.com's scoring.