Gooch collects 3-stroke lead at RSM Classic

ST. SIMONS ISLAND, Ga. — Talor Gooch is playing some of his best golf in the toughest weather, even when he hasn’t been in the best position off the tee. Now the former Oklahoma State player is one round away from his first PGA Tour victory at the RSM Classic.

Gooch hit only six fairways Saturday at Sea Island and still managed a 3-under 67, stretching his lead to three shots going into the final round.

“Any day like that is going to be a grind on the tour,” Gooch said. “To be frank, what you’re trying to do out there is avoid bogeys. It would have been easy today at times to just really get conservative and really be defensive. I was pleased I was able to stay aggressive at times.”

He was at 16-under 196, three shots clear of Seamus Power (67) and Sebastian Munoz (69).

Tom Hoge, also in search of his first win, had a 67 and was alone in fourth, while Luke List (66), Mackenzie Hughes (70) and Scott Stallings (69) were another shot behind.

Gooch pulled away with a short birdie putt at the par-5 15th hole and a 12footer for birdie at the par-3 17th.

Korda, 3 others tied at the top

Nelly Korda and Jin

Young Ko are part of a four-way tie for the lead going into the final round of the season, with $1.5 million and LPGA player of the year on the line.

Ko ran off seven straight

birdies that helped her make up a six-shot deficit and carried her to a 6under 66. Korda followed by overpowering the par 5s on the back nine at Tiburon for a 67 to get back in the game.

They were tied at the CME Group Tour Championship with Celine Boutier, who started with a four-shot lead and wasn’t hurt by her 72, and Nasa Hataoka who had the low round Saturday at 64.

They were at 14-under 202.

The winner gets $1.5 million, the largest prize in women’s golf, and there’s even more at stake for Korda and Ko.

Korda has a 10-point lead in the race for player of the year, meaning Ko likely would have to win to surpass her.

McIlroy nabs lead on Day 3 in Dubai

Seeking a second straight victory to end his season, Rory McIlroy endured another wild finish in the third around of the DP World Tour Championship in shooting a 5under 67 that left the four-time major champion with a one-stroke lead Saturday.

Sam Horsfield bogeyed the 18th hole to shoot 69 and drop out of a share of the lead with McIlroy, who was 14 under overall at Jumeirah Golf Estates in the season-closing event on the European Tour.

Collin Morikawa, still on course to become the first American to finish a season as the tour’s No. 1 player, was three shots back in a four-way share of fifth place after his round of 69.

Cliff Hawkins / Getty Images Talor Gooch, chasing his first win on the PGA Tour, shot 3-under 67 on Saturday to extend his lead.