Hahn in charge after Kokrak falls
James Hahn shot a bogey-free 6-under-par 64 yesterday to take the lead after three rounds in Irving, Texas, at the AT&T Byron Nelson, where Jason
Kokrak’s record advantage disappeared.
Hahn settled for a 12-under 198 total after his eagle chance at the 16th and a birdie putt at 17 both stopped just inches short. The two-time PGA Tour winner was a stroke ahead of Billy Horschel, who birdied his last three holes for a 66 to take second place alone.
Jason Day had his own string of birdies, five in a row midway through his round and then a 60-footer at the 17th, during a 63 that was the best of the day and got him to 10-under. The fourth-ranked player in the world was tied for third with Kokrak, who shot a 72 after setting a Nelson 36hole record with a 5-stroke lead.
Kokrak had his first bogey in 34 holes after missing the fairway at No. 3, then 3-putting on the sloping green. He quickly made up that stroke with a 15-foot birdie at No. 4 and was back to 12-under with a 5-stroke lead. But his advantage was down to 1 by time he finished his next hole, the par3 5th, with a triple bogey.
“I’m definitely not out of this golf tournament,” Kokrak said. “I’d rather be stalking people than any other way.”
Cameron Tringale and Sergio Garcia also finished with birdies on Nos. 16-18. Tringale was fifth at 9-under after a 67, with defending Nelson champion and Masters winner Garcia tied for sixth at 8-under after a 64 that also included three straight birdies at Nos. 11-13. Top-ranked Dustin Johnson shot a 71 with five bogeys and four birdies to reach 5-under, 7 strokes off the lead and tied for 19th. He had started the day in a six-way tie for third and 6 strokes behind Kokrak.
Funk leads Tradition
Fred Funk shot a 2-under 70 to hold onto the third-round lead at the Regions Tradition in Birmingham, Ala.
The 60-year-old Funk has a 14-under 202 and maintains a 1-stroke edge on Scott Parel in the first of the PGA Tour Champions’ five majors. Defending champion Bernhard
Langer, who shot a 66, and Scott McCarron (69) were 2 shots back.
Funk was even over the final nine holes at Greystone and is seeking his first PGA Tour Champions individual title since 2012. Langer is bidding to match Jack Nicklaus’ record of eight major victories on the 50-and-over circuit.
Parel gained entry after Fred Couples withdrew late last week and had a 70. He turned pro at 31 and is seeking to become the first Q-school medalist to win a 50-and-over major since 1999.
John Daly, fresh from winning the Insperity Invitational, shot a 76 and was 2-over.
Thompson on top
Lexi Thompson remained in position for her first victory since a rules infraction cost her a major title, shooting a 2-under 69 to take a 3-stroke lead on In Gee
Chun into the final round of the Kingsmill Championship in Williamsburg, Va.
Thompson is playing her third event since losing the ANA Inspiration in a playoff after being penalized four strokes for a rules violation that a TV viewer reported.
The long-hitting Florida player had three birdies and a bogey — on the par3 17th — to reach 14-under 199 on Kingsmill’s River Course.
Chun had a 67, making six birdies and two bogeys.
Top-ranked Lydia Ko was 5 strokes back at 9-under after a 70. Trying to hold off
So Yeon Ryu and Ariya Jutanugarn for the No. 1 spot, Ko is winless since July.
Sei Young Kim (66) and 2015 winner Minjee Lee (67) also were 9-under.
Gerina Piller, second entering her third straight round alongside Thompson, had a 74 to drop into a tie for ninth at 6-under.
Ryu, the ANA winner, was 4-under after a 72.