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Pro, who heads the tour event, remains focused on college football

Keith Mitchell was keeping score in Georgia during his round.

Justin Casterline / Getty Images

Keith Mitchell is an old Georgia boy.

He earned the moniker “Cashmere Keith” for his frequent sporting of plush sweaters and cardigans, but also for his frequent use of white and bright pastels in his wardrobe, a classic example of a southern vibe.

He also speaks with a melodic cadence that can only be identified as a strong Georgian drawl.

But most importantly in the context of this post, he loves his Georgia Bulldogs football, so much so, he thinks about it while competing on the PGA Tour.

While much of the PGA Tour season is played in the vacuum of America's most popular sport, this week's Sanderson Farms Championship is played during the FedEx Cup Fall season and has the unenviable task of moving up into the heart of the football season.

So with PGA Tour events running Thursday through Sunday, Saturday's third round was taking place as Mitchell's Bulldogs faced off against the Auburn Tigers.

But with Mitchell five under a day through 15 holes, 18 under and tied for the championship, he wanted to get in the game.

Standing in 16th place, he asked a fan to give him updates.

“Do you check the football scores?” he asked.

“Really!” replied the fan.

“What do we have?”

“14-10 Dawgs,” a fan told him, giving him the good news that his beloved 5th-ranked Bulldogs were winning against the unseeded Tigers.

After that, Mitchell's attention turned to the team that handed Georgia its first loss of the season last week in Tuscaloosa.

“What about Bama's school?” Mitchell asked.

“23-14 Commodores,” the fan replied, telling him about the shock of the college football world so far this afternoon that the No.

The Golf Channel camera focused on Mitchell's playing partner Jacob Bridgeman and his caddy, who looked shocked to hear that Alabama was losing.

“Holy Cow!” said another.

But Mitchell was still focused on it his the game.

“Auburn scored a goal though? 14-10? he asked.

“Yes.”

If you thought any of this meant Mitchell was losing touch with his cycle, think again. The veteran blasted a 37-footer for birdie on the 17th before paring his way to No. 18 to within seven yards for another, giving him a solo lead over Sanderson heading into the final round.

Jack Hirsh

Jack Hirsh is an assistant editor at GOLF. A native of Pennsylvania, Jack is a 2020 graduate of Penn State University, earning degrees in broadcast journalism and political science. He was the captain of his high school golf team and recently returned to the program to serve as the head coach. Jack is also *still* trying to stay competitive with the local novices. Before joining GOLF, Jack spent two years working at a TV station in Bend, Oregon, primarily as a reporter/multimedia reporter, but also producing, anchoring and even presenting weather. He can be reached at [email protected].


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