Hoffman takes 1-shot lead in Canadian Open
OAKVILLE, ONTARIO » Charley Hoffman birdied the final hole for a 7-under 65 on Saturday at Glen Abbey to take a one-stroke lead into the final round of the RBC Canadian Open.
The 40-year-old Hoffman had six birdies in a sevenhole stretch that ended on No. 15, bogeyed the par-4 17th and rebounded with the twoputt birdie on the par-5 18th.
“When you’re playing good, I always say golf is fairly easy,” Hoffman said. “It’s been a fun run the last month or two months, actually all year, and it’s not very stressful, which is good. When you’re trying to make cuts, that’s when golf is hard. ... Have my family out for the next five weeks. They are off for summer break. It’s been fun to hang out and go over to Europe with them and Canada. It’s been a good, fun summer vacation.”
Hoffman had a 17-under 199 total. He won the Texas Open last year for his fourth PGA Tour title.
“Anything can happen in the last four or five holes,” Hoffman said. “Guys can make eagles, birdies, bogeys. Anything can happen. Obviously, want to get off to a good start on the front nine and play the back nine the way I need to and see how it goes.”
Kevin Chappell was second. He bogeyed the 18th, hitting his third shot into the water.
Robert Garrigus matched the course record with a 62 to join Gary Woodland at 15 under. Garrigus had two eagles and six birdies to tie the Glen Abbey mark set by Leonard Thompson in 1981 and matched by Andy Bean in 1983, Greg Norman in 1986 and John Merrick in 2013.
“When you look at the board before I even tee off, someone shoots 62, you know the birdies are out there,” Hoffman said. “Perfect day here in Toronto to make some birdies and have some fun in front of the fans here.”
Langer leads by 4
BRIDGEND, WALES » Bernhard Langer shot a bogey-free 6-under 65 in calmer conditions at Royal Porthcawl to take a four-stroke lead in the Senior British Open.
The 59-year-old German is chasing his fifth victory in the last 10 major championships. He had a 5-under 208 total.
Corey Pavin was second, also shooting 65 in some afternoon rain and wind gusting to 20 mph — far gentler conditions than Thursday and Friday.
Also: Shepherd wins Girls’ Junior
AUGUSTA, MO. » Erica Shepherd won the U.S. Girls’ Junior Championship, beating Jennifer Chang 3 and 2 a day after reaching the 36hole final on her opponent’s rules violation.
The 16-year-old Shepherd, from Greenwood, Indiana, ended the title match against close friend Chang with a tap-in par on Boone Valley’s par-3 16th hole. HAMBURG, GERMANY » Jordan Smith shot a bogeyfree 5-under 67 in the third round to take a two-stroke lead at 12 under in the European Open on Saturday. IRVINE, SCOTLAND » Hall of Famer Karrie Webb and Sei Young Kim topped the Ladies Scottish Open leaderboard Saturday after another rainy, cold and windy day at Dundonald Links.
Kim birdied the par-4 17th and par-5 18th in strong wind and rain for a 3-under 69, and Webb birdied the 17th en route to a 70.