Cink, Cabrera Bello among 3 leaders at St. Jude Classic
MEMPHIS, TENN. » Stewart Cink felt the familiar emotions and butterflies and savored every minute of it on Saturday.
He had some great moments and tough ones at TPC Southwind, making five birdies and four bogeys on the way to a 1-under 69. Now he’s in a three-way tie with Rafa Cabrera Bello and Ben Crane for the lead at the St. Jude Classic after three rounds.
Win or lose on Sunday, the 44-year-old Cink is relishing his status as a contender, especially after all the personal and professional adversity he and his family have been through over the past few years.
“It’s a moment you don’t really get to experience that often, even if you’ve played on the Tour for 21 years,” Cink said. “This may only happen a handful of times. Maybe a few more. So it’s a really sweet feeling.”
Cink has gradually improved his game since missing several weeks last year to help care for his wife Lisa, who was diagnosed with Stage 4 breast cancer. He qualified for the U.S. Open on Monday in Ohio and has now had three solid rounds at the par-70 TPC Southwind course to be in the hunt for his first victory since winning the 2009 British Open.
Cink said Lisa is at the course this weekend and her health is good.
The six-time PGA Tour winner wasn’t very competitive from 2014 to 2016, with just one top 10 finish during those three years. But he’s enjoyed quite the resurgence this season, with two top 10s and eight top 25s in 18 events.
“I’m probably not supposed to be doing this,” Cink said. “But I don’t really care about that. My golf ball doesn’t know how old I am.”
Cabrera Bello shot a 65 and Crane — who won the St. Jude Classic in 2014 — shot a 68 to join Cink at 9-under 201 for the tournament.
Cabrera Bello, a 33-yearold from Spain, has four international victories, but has never won on the PGA Tour.
Thompson shoots 67
CAMBRIDGE, ONTARIO » Lexi Thompson shot a 67 for a 17-under 199 total and a one-stroke lead after the third round of the Manulife LPGA Classic on Saturday.
Fellow American Lindy Duncan was in second after a 67, followed by South Korea’s In Gee Chun (68) another shot back. Canada’s Alena Sharp (70), who was in a three-way for the lead with Thompson and South Korea’s Hyo Joo Kim, fell into a tie for fourth.
Jobe, Day share lead
DES MOINES, IOWA » An unexpected pair of leaders emerged at the PGA Tour Champions event Iowa on Saturday, while favorite Bernhard Langer stumbled yet again at the Wakonda Club.
Brandt Jobe shot a sixunder 6 to take a share of the lead following the second round. Jobe and Glen Day will enter Sunday’s final round at 11-under 133.
Aguilar retains 2-stroke lead
ATZENBRUGG, AUSTRIA » Chilean golfer Felipe Aguilar retained a two-stroke lead after the third round of the Lyoness Open.