2 eagles propel Dufner to lead
Think less, play better: Lesson from Masters takes root.
Jason Dufner took more than a solid showing away from the Masters last week. He took inspiration from winner Sergio Garcia.
Dufner finished 33rd in the year’s first major after shooting a final-round 76. But he watched Garcia manage his emotions and let his game show through. And Dufner believes that’s why he has a one-shot lead heading to the final round of the RBC Heritage today at Hilton Head Island, S.C.
Dufner had two eagles on the way to a 6-under 65 Saturday, moving in front of second-round co-leader Graham DeLaet (69). Dufner is at 13-under 200.
Dufner said he entered Harbour Town Golf Links with low expectations, deciding he has gone through t o o ma n y t o u r n a me n t s over-thinking how he was supposed to play or what expectations he should meet.
“That really gets in the way of playing well, to be honest with you,” said Dufner, the 2013 PGA Championship winner. “So I think I maybe learned a little bit from the champion last week, where he kind of lowered his expectations, and got out of his way, so to speak, and let his talent and his game plan take it from there.”
Dufner eagled the par-5 second and fifth holes and birdied the par-5 15th.
He b l a s t e d a 2 1 5 - y a r d approach on No. 2 to 11 feet and made eagle. He was short of the fifth green in two, then chipped in from about 100 feet for his second eagle. The birdie on the 15th was his second of three in a row.
DeLaet was tied with Dufner before three-putting No. 18 from 35 feet for bogey. Still, it was the Canadian’s third straight sub-70 round, and he’s seeking his first PGA Tour win today.
“Obviously, this is the one thing that’s kind of missing,” DeLaet said. “So there’s going to be some battles (inside) that I’m going to have to deal with.”
Kev i n Ki s n e r ( 6 6 ) a n d Webb Simpson (68) were next at 11 under.
Ian Poulter shot 69 and was alone in fifth at 10 under despite making a double bogey on No. 10.
He hit his drive left in the water, then landed his second tee shot along the water line where an alligator sat. Poulter tried to set up, but the gator would not retreat until the caddie of playing partner Simpson charged it.
Dufner said he took confidence from his Masters performance and has carried that into this weekend.
“I feel like this golf course has always been a good setup for me,” Dufner said.
C h a mpi o n s : S t e p h e n Ames shot a 4-under 68 to take a one-stroke lead over five players into the final round of the Mitsubishi Electric Classic at Duluth, Ga. First-round leader Bob Tway followed his 65 with a 71 to drop into a tie for second at 8-under 136 with Kenny Perry (64), Billy Andrade (66), Brandt Jobe (68) and Kevin Sutherland (69).
Europ ean Tour: Paul Dunne of Ireland has a twost roke le ad heading into today’s final round of the Trophee Hassan II as he seeks his first professional victory. Dunne shot a 4-under 69 in the third round at Rabat, Morocco, for an 8-under 211 total. Renato Paratore was second after shooting a course-record 66.