Mill Creek's Benzel shoots 66 to move into third place at Washington Open

Ryan Benzel, the new head pro at Mill Creek Country Club, put up the top score of the day with a sizzling 5-under-par 66 on Tuesday to move into third place, one shot back of co-leaders Derek Berg and Brian Nosler, through two rounds of the Washington Open golf tournament at Bellevue's Glendale Country Club.

Berg, an amateur from Redmond's Trilogy Golf Club and a former University of Washington golfer, and Nosler, an assistant pro from Langdon Farms Golf Club in Aurora, Ore., are tied for the lead heading into today's final round at 4-under-par 138. Benzel, who opened with a 2-over 73 on Monday, is at 3-under 139.

First-round leader Keith Coleman, an assistant pro and head superintendent at Mukilteo's Harbour Point Golf Course, slipped to a 77 on Tuesday and is tied for 10th at 1-over 143.

One stroke back is amateur Alex Stamey of Everett Golf and Country Club, a three-time Snohomish County Amateur champion, at 2-over 142.

For full results, see Page C6.