English ties mark after solid 54 holes
DeChambeau’s 63 closes gap to two
Bryson DeChambeau let his clubs do most of the talking Saturday at TPC Southwindin Memphis, Tenn.
DeChambeau shot a 7-under 63 to pull within two strokes of leader Harris English in the World Golf Championships-FedEx St. Jude Invitational, then declined to comment to most of themedia after the round.
DeChambeau was apparently upset with several stories written about his refusal to take the COVID-19 vaccine after he missed the Tokyo Olympics last week because of a positive test. He did agree to interviews with rightsholders CBS Sports, Sky Sports and SiriusXM PGA TourRadio.
“It was beautiful to be able to score really well,” DeChambeau said. “I didn’t feel like my ball-striking was perfect, but I got it around really well and I was very pleased with it.”
English has led after each of the first three rounds in this WGC event, opening with a 62 and shooting two 65s to get to 18-under 192. He’s in position for his fifth PGA Tour victory and third of the season. He tied Tiger Woods for the lowest 54-hole mark in tournamenthistory.
“I love playing with pressure,” English said. “I think it helps me focus. It’s a privilege to be in this spot. You have to take[challenges] on.”
Cameron Smith had a 65 to joinDeChambeau at 16 under.
Long-hitting DeChambeau birdied four of the first five holes on the back nine. The third came at the par-4 13th after nearly holing out his approach.
English created separation atop the leader board by birdieing two of the final three holes.
‘Wildcats’ final
Kentucky junior Jensen Castlerallied to advance to the U.S. Women’s Amateur final in Harrison, N.Y., beating NCAA champion Rachel Heckof Stanford with a 15-foot birdie putt on the 19th hole. Castle, from West Columbia, S.C., will face Arizona junior Hou Yu-chiang of Taiwan in the 36-hole final. Hou beat Michigan State sophomore Valentina Rossi of Argentina, 2up.
Schenk scores
Adam Schenk birdied the par-4 18th in smoky conditions from wildfires for an 11point round and four-point lead in the Barracuda Championship in Truckee, Calif., the only PGA Tour event that uses the modified Stableford scoringsystem.
Hometown winner?
Grant Forrest produced a brilliant 10-under 62 to take a share of the third-round lead with fellow Scot Calum Hill at theHero Open in St. Andrews, Scotland.There has not been a home winner in Scotland on the European Tour since Paul Lawrie won the 2012 Johnnie Walker Championship at Gleneagles, but Forrest and Hill have improved the prospects after climbing to 18 under at FairmontSt Andrews.