WICHITA, Kan. – The 144-player field at the 2018 U.S. Open was cut for the first time Sunday as the top 36 players advanced into the final qualifying round.

Kristopher Prather of Plainfield, Illinois, continued to lead the event as he did after the first two rounds, finishing the third round with a 24-game total of 5,355, a 223.13 average, at Northrock Lanes.

AJ Chapman had his biggest block of qualifying thus far and moved into second place with 5,254, while Tommy Jones used a 300 game to move into third place with 5,210.

The top 36 players advanced into Monday morning’s final eight-game qualifying round that will determine the top 24 who will advance into round robin match play all of which will be broadcast live on FloBowling. After 56 total games, the top five players will make the stepladder finals, which will be broadcast live on CBS Sports Network on Wednesday.

In a close finish to the end of qualifying, Anthony Pepe struck out in the final frame to shoot 255 and advance into the next round. Pepe was the cut number with 4,939.

The next cut to the top 24 after eight additional games Monday morning should include more drama as the field is tightly packed.

Richie Teece currently occupies the No. 24 spot with 4,993, which is just 54 pins ahead of Pepe in 36^th place. Additionally, less than 100 pins separates 15^th place from 36^th place.