This is not the first time Patton Kizzire has found himself in the lead at the end of the day on this California deadline. Therefore, the American already controlled this tournament (at the time called Safeway Open) after three rounds in October 2016, but in the end finished runner-up to Brendan Steele.
Kizzire escaped
This year, the 38-year-old will have a chance at revenge. Ahead of the cut, the Montgomery, Alabama native quickly asserted his status on Saturday’s outward leg by racking up three birdies in a row between holes 3 and 5. leg (three others) birdies, one bogey), Kizzire signed a score of 67 that allowed him to widen the gap at the top of the ranking (-18 total), before starting the final round.
” I think persistence comes from having a strong mind and letting go. So I worked on it and it helped me a lot. This course has a slight undulation on the greens. The vegetables are very good. This is a course I really enjoy playing and I’m looking forward to tomorrow (Sunday),” replied the two-time PGA Tour winner, whose last victory came in 2018.
Theegala remained in ambush
Starting Saturday morning with David Lipsky in the lead, Kizzire now has four ahead of his compatriot, who is still alone in 2nd (-14 overall). The third step of the podium (-13) was occupied by a quartet consisting of Mackenzie Hughes, Greyson Sigg, Patrick Fishburn and Corey Conners. The Canadian returned an impressive card of 66 (seven birdies, one bogey) in this third round.
Sahith Theegala follows at the 7th rank. Although he lost slightly to the leader, the defending champion finished the Silverado Resort course in 69 strokes (four birdies, one bogey) and remained perfectly in the race to win this event for the second time in a row. With a total of -12, he was joined by Ben Silverman and Wilson Furr, author of a record 64 (one eagle, six birdies, no errors), the best of the day.
The top 10 is completed by Chez Ravie and Justin Lower who share 10th position (-11 total). The disappointment on the other hand is for Min Woo Lee. More inconsistent, the Australian posted a round of 73 (four birdies, one eagle, five bogeys, one double). He lost 22 places and is now ranked 32nd (-6 total), especially with amateur Luke Clanton.