Daily Local News (West Chester, PA)
Spieth birdies 18th to keep Travelers lead
Jordan Spieth continues to play just a little better than anyone else at the Travelers Championship.
The 23-year-old Texan closed with a 20-foot birdie putt for a 4-under 66 on Saturday, giving him a one-stroke lead for the third straight round at TPC River Highlands.
After predicting earlier that it would take a score of 16 under to win, the two-time major champion took a 12-under 198 total into the final round.
Boo Weekley was second after a 65. The 43-year-old Weekley, playing just in front of Spieth, birdied five of the last eight holes, basking in the chants of “Boooo! Boooo!” from the raucous gallery.
Spieth bogeyed Nos. 13 and 14, but matched Weekley with three birdies on the final four holes, capping it with the final shot of the round from below the hole.
“It’s in the shadow,” Spieth said. “I’m looking to hit the putt at the right speed. If it goes in, great, if it doesn’t, so be it, tap it in. With a few feet to go it was going to have a chance and it curled right in the middle. That was a loud roar, and those are really fun to experience.
Weekley is looking for his fourth tour title and first since 2013. The colorful Floridian said he’s been dealing with personal issues, but declined to elaborate. His had a season-best tie for 37th at the Puerto Rico Open in March and has made just eight cuts in 21 events.
Spieth is looking for his 10th tour win and second this season after a victory in February at Pebble Beach.
Weekley acknowledged that makes for an odd final pairing Sunday.
“He loves to fish, so we’ve got a little in common there,” Weekley said. “So we can talk about that.”
Daniel Berger, looking for his second victory of the month, was three strokes back after a 66.
C.T. Pan (64), David Lingmerth (65) and Paul Casey (66) were 8 under.
Because of morning showers, the players went off in threesomes from both the first and 10th tees. But the breeze helped the greens quickly dry out and play faster than had been expected.