Koepka keeps alive chance for top spot, leads by 4 at CJ Cup
JEJU ISLAND, South Korea — Brooks Koepka has improved his chances of taking over as No. 1 golfer in the world, shooting a bogey-free 5-under 67 Saturday for a four-stroke lead after three rounds of the CJ Cup at Nine Bridges.
Koepka had a three-round total of 13-under 203. Ian Poulter, who shot 68 Saturday, was tied for second place with second-round leader Scott Piercy, who had a 72.
The 28-year-old Koepka, who trailed by one stroke after two rounds, will move to the top of the world rankings if he wins the tournament and former No. 1 Justin Thomas, the defending champion here, does not finish any better than second.
Thomas shot a 71 Saturday and is at 1 under, 12 strokes behind Koepka and tied for 43rd. It would be Koepka’s first appearance at No. 1.
Ciganda shoots 67 to share lead at Shanghai
Carlota Ciganda of Spain shot a 5-under 67 Saturday to share the lead with Sei Young Kim after the third round of the LPGA Shanghai.
Ciganda carded her fifth birdie of the day on the par-4 18th to finish tied with overnight leader Kim at 11-under 205. Kim shot a 71 with four bogeys and five birdies.
Ciganda is attempting to win her third LPGA title and first since the 2016 season, when she won two tournaments in a one-month span. Kim is chasing her eighth career LPGA win and second title of the 2018 season.
“I want to win because I didn’t win last year,” Ciganda said. “I love playing in Asia. It’s good for long hitters, playing quite long, so I’m quite comfortable.”
64-year-old Haas leads playoff opener
Jay Haas shot a 7-under 65 — missing his age by a stroke — to take a twoshot lead Saturday in the PGA Tour Champions’ playoffopening Dominion Energy Charity Classic.
Trying to become the oldest winner in tour history, the 64-year-old Haas birdied the par-5 16th and 18th holes to get to 11-under 133 on The Country Club of Virginia’s James River Course.
Mike Fetchick set the age record of 63 years to the day in the 1985 Hilton Head event.
Haas is second on the list, taking the 2016 Toshiba Classic at 62 years, 10 months, 7 days for his 18th senior title.
Stephen Ames and Scott Dunlap were tied for second after the round that started in light rain. Ames had a 67, and Dunlap shot 68.