Cook and putter heat up on Sea Island
PGA rookie credits his time on Web.com Tour as he increases his lead to three shots at RSM Classic
ST. SIMONS ISLAND, Ga. — PGA Tour rookie Austin Cook shot a 4-under 66 on Saturday to increase his lead to three strokes in the RSM Classic.
Cook, a shot ahead after a second-round 62, had five birdies and a bogey — his first of the week — to reach 18-under 194 with a round left at Sea Island Golf Club’s Seaside Course.
“Putting is key right now,” Cook said. “Been able to make a lot of clutch putts for the pars to save no bogeys. Hitting the ball pretty much where we’re looking and giving ourselves good opportunities on every hole.”
Former University of Georgia player Chris Kirk was second after a 64.
“I’m really comfortable here,” Kirk said. “I love Sea Island. I lived here for 6 years, so I played the golf course a lot, SEC Championships and come down here for the RSM Classic.”
Brian Gay was another stroke back at 14 under after a 69.
“I love the course,” Gay said. “We keep getting different wind directions so it’s keeping us on our toes. Supposed to be another completely different wind direction tomorrow, so we’re getting a new course every day.”
J.J. Spaun had a 62 to get to 13 under.
“I just kind of played stress-free golf out there and kept the golf ball in front of me,” Spaun said. “I had a lot of looks and scrambled pretty well, even though it was only a handful of times, but pretty overall pleased with how I played today.”
Ben Silverman (69) of Thornhill, Ont., was the low Canadian at 9-under. David Hearn (69) of Brantford, Ont., and Corey Conners (68) of Listowel, Ont., are at 6-under.
Cook has made the weekend cuts in all four of his starts this season. The 26-year-old former Arkansas player earned his PGA Tour card through the Web.com Tour.
“I think with an extra year on the Web this past year, I really grew mentally and with my game, just kind of more confidence,” Cook said. “I was able to put myself in contention on the Web.com more this year than I have in the past. I think I’ve just, you know, learned from experiences on the Web to help me grow out here.”
He planned to keep it simple Saturday night.
“I’ve got my parents here and my in-laws are both here as well as my wife,” Cook said. “Go home and just have a good home-cooked meal and just kind of enjoy the time and embrace the moment.”
Kirk won the last of his four PGA Tour titles in 2015 at Colonial.
“It’s nice to be back in contention again,” Kirk said. “It’s been a little while for me. But I felt great out there today, I felt really comfortable, and so hopefully it will be the same way tomorrow.”
Meantime, in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates, Justin Rose will take a one-shot lead into the final day of the season-ending Tour Championship as he attempts to win a third straight title on the European Tour and a second career Race to Dubai crown.
The 37-year-old Rose made a gutsy par save on the final hole after a bogey-free round for a 7-under 65 Saturday and overall 15-under 201.
The Englishman leads South African Dylan Frittelli, who produced the day’s best score of 63, and Spain’s Jon Rahm, who played in the same group as Rose and matched his 65.
Rose is looking to be Europe’s season-ending No. 1 for the second time. His leading rival for the Race to Dubai title, Tommy Fleetwood, is only two shots behind here after a second straight 65 on the Earth course of Jumeirah Golf Estates.