Stroud breaks away for sole lead

MIAMI: Chris Stroud capped his five-under 67 with a birdie to seize a one-shot lead after three rounds of the US PGA Tour’s Puerto Rico Open on Saturday.

Stroud broke out of a three-way tie atop the leaderboard, finishing 54 holes at Coco Beach Golf and Country Club with a 15-under total of 201.

He was one shot in front of fellow Americans D.A. Points and Bill Lunde, who had shared the second-round lead with Bryson DeChambeau and both carded 69s.

DeChambeau fired a 70 to join a group of six players sharing fourth on 203 that also included England's Andrew Johnston, South Korean Kim Whee, Puerto Rican Rafael Campos, New Zealander Tim Wilkinson and American Jonathan Randolph.

Stroud, who started the third round one shot off the lead, had five birdies without a bogey to put himself in position to challenge for a first US PGA Tour title.

His previous best finish was a playoff loss at the Travelers Championship in 2013.

“I feel like I’m way overdue,” Stroud said. “I’m playing very, very well. I'm making some nice putts.”

He said his approach on Sunday would be simple.

“Nothing fancy – just go out there and hit a lot of fairways, a lot of greens. There's a lot of guys behind me. I’m just going to keep looking forward.”

Johnston stormed up the leaderboard with a bogey-free six-under 66. His six birdies included two to cap his round.

Whee carded a 67 and Randolph a 68. Wilkinson followed up a second-round 63 with a 69 and Campos, who had seized sole possession of the lead with five birdies on the front nine, settled for a 69. AFP