Tyler Duncan seeks first win.
Tyler Duncan is an unheralded 28-year-old tour pro who was born in Columbus, Ind., attended Purdue and plans to marry Maria Krempp, another former college golfer, on Oct. 21 in Indiana.
He’s also hoping for a big day Sunday in Napa.
Duncan, ranked No. 454 in the world and making only the second PGA Tour start of his career, maintained his lead Saturday at the Safeway Open. He shot 71 to finish the day at 14-under-par, one stroke clear of Chesson Hadley (70) and two ahead of Brendan Steele (72) and Bud Cauley (66).
Duncan spent the past three years on the Web.com Tour. His lone previous start on the PGA Tour came in June 2015, when he qualified for the U.S. Open at Chambers Bay outside Tacoma, Wash. He shot 78-72 to miss the cut.
And now he will show up Sunday at Silverado with a chance to abruptly lift his career into another realm.
“I feel OK right now,” Duncan said. “I’m not sure it’s set in yet. I don’t know how well I’ll sleep and I’m sure I’ll be nervous (Sunday), but I’m looking forward to it.”
Duncan will play in the final group, teeing off at 12:30 p.m. with Hadley and Cauley.
Johnson’s charge fizzles: Two-time major champion Zach Johnson, making his first appearance in the tournament, threatened to climb into contention in Saturday’s third round.
Johnson made birdies on three of his first four holes. He was cruising — and then his putts stopped falling and his charge lost steam.
He ultimately shot 69 and stands at 7-under for the week, tied for 21st and too far back to have a realistic chance.
Briefly: Webb Simpson, the 2012 U.S. Open champion at the Olympic Club, also will begin Sunday’s final round tied for 21st. … Emiliano Grillo, who won at Silverado two years ago, put himself in the mix with a 68 on Saturday. Grillo is only three strokes off the lead. … Stanford alum Patrick Rodgers had his best day of the week, shooting 67.