Munoz takes slim lead at Sanderson Farms Championship

WASHINGTON: Colombia’s Sebastian Munoz torched the Country Club of Jackson for a nine-under 63 to grab a one-shot lead over friend and former college teammate Carlos Ortiz at the US PGA Tour Sanderson Farms Championship.

Munoz, 26, had a 16-under total of 200 and put himself in prime position to challenge on the final day for a first US Tour title.

But he’ll have to hold off Mexico’s Ortiz, who had an eagle and five birdies in his seven-under 65 for 201 on Saturday.

South Korea’s An Byeong-hun, who started the round with a twoshot cushion, tussled for the lead with Munoz and Ortiz for much of the afternoon.

Three straight birdies at 13, 14 and 15 moved him to 16-under but he slipped back with bogeys at 16 and 17 and signed for a two-under 70 that left him alone in third on 202 on Saturday.

He was one stroke in front of Australian Cameron Percy, who posted a 68.

Munoz and Ortiz, once teammates at the University of North Texas near Dallas, will duel in the final group in the last round after playing together in the third round as the tournament finally worked its way back on schedule after a hefty weather delay on Thursday.

Munoz, who was five shots adrift through 36 holes, set the tone early with birdies at the first, second and third holes. He added birdies at the fifth and eighth – where he rolled in a 15-footer – to make the turn at 13-under. “It was pretty comfortable,” he said of playing alongside Ortiz, who is two years his senior.

“Good vibes from the beginning. he made birdies, I made birdies and we kept it going all the way.

“It was great when I started with three birdies in a row.

“I kind of flattened out a little and then Carlos came for me so we gave it a little extra run and it was fun,” added Munoz, who took sole possession of the lead for good with a 14-foot birdie at the 17th.