Furyk closes on Schwab Cup title
Scheffler grabs lead at Houston Open
PHOENIX — Jim Furyk’s tee shot at Phoenix Country Club’s par-3 15th hole just cleared a bunker, nearly went into the hole and settled 3 feet away.
As the former University of Arizona star walked up to the green, fans in the skyboxes serenaded him with the fight song from his alma mater. Furyk doffed his cap and waved again after holing the birdie putt.
Another round like this and he could be doing it again on Sunday — with the Schwab Cup in his hands.
Furyk shot a 6-under 65 on Saturday to take the third-round lead in the Charles Schwab Cup Championship, putting him in position to win the PGA Tour Champions season points title.
“I got myself in a good position,” Furyk said. “I don’t know where it will be compared to the lead, but if I give myself a good opportunity and I go out, if I play a good one tomorrow, have a chance to win the tournament.”
Furyk has been comfortable all week at Phoenix Country Club, less than two hours from where he was a two-time All-American at Arizona.
He started the round three behind leader Kirk Triplett and quickly made up ground with an eagle on the par-5 first hole at Phoenix Country Club. Playing with fan favorite and Arizona State alum Phil Mickelson, Furyk heard plenty of ASU chants during his round, but got the nice serenade from Arizona fans after his near ace on No. 15.
Furyk closed out his day by getting up-and-down for par on the par-5 18th for a bogey-free round that put at 16 under — one ahead of Triplett, who shot 69. Furyk can win his first Schwab Cup with a victory or with a high finish and if Bernard Langer falters.
“Today really just wanted to go out and play a really solid round,” Furyk said. “The scores are low, but you still have to be patient.”
Langer, who’s been battling back pain all weekend, bookended his third round with eagles for a bogey-free 63 to remain in the hunt for his sixth Schwab Cup. He was 10 under, six off the lead heading into the final round Sunday.
Stephen Ames shot 65 to reach 14 under and was tied with New Zealander Steven Alker, a qualifier less than four months ago who shot 68. Mickelson was another shot back after a 68.
PGA TOUR: In Houston, Scottie Scheffler pitched in from 55 feet for birdie on the 14th hole, holed a 10-foot birdie on the next hole and avoided mistakes down the closing stretch Saturday at Memorial Park for a 1-under 69 and a oneshot lead at the Houston Open.
Scheffler, in his third year on the PGA Tour, has a 54-hole lead for the first time. Kevin Tway had the lead until he chipped in the water and had to scramble for bogey on the par-4 17th, and then missed a 10-foot par putt on the closing hole. He shot 73 and was among five players who were one shot behind.
Jhonattan Vegas, winless since the Canadian Open four years ago, had a 68 and will be in the final group with Scheffler on Sunday.
LPGA: In Bellfair, Fla., Nelly Korda started with two birdies and finished the same way Saturday, making up plenty of ground along the way for a 7-under 63 that gave her a share of the lead with Lexi Thompson in the Pelican Women’s Championship.
Low scores ruled the day again at Pelican Golf Club, with 10 rounds at 65 or better. Thompson did her part with a 65 that allowed her to join Korda at 16-under 194, with no shortage of contenders right behind them heading into the final round.
Eight players were separated by four shots, a list that included defending champion Sei Young Kim (65) and long-shot Christina Kim (65). Jennifer Kupcho was tied for the lead until she ended a streak of 45 consecutive holes at par or better by closing with a bogey for a 66. She was along in third, with Kim and Kim two behind.