Lee holes monster eagle to tie
Justin Thomas was looking at a threestroke lead at the CJ Cup with one hole to play yesterday, which would have set him up nicely for his second win in three years at South Korea’s only PGA Tour event.
But the 18th hole saw a big swing in the scoring at the Nine Bridges course.
New Zealand’s Danny Lee holed a long eagle putt to finish with a 68. Thomas, who won the inaugural CJ Cup in 2017, bogeyed the 18th for a 70 after dunking his second shot and he and Lee were tied with a three-round total of 15-under 201.
Australian Cameron Smith was in third place, three strokes behind, after a 68. Jordan Spieth shot 70 and was in a three-way tie for fourth, four behind.
The biggest movers were last year’s runner-up Gary Woodland and firstyear professional Colin Morikawa, of the United States. Their 65s moved them into a tie for seventh place which included Ian Poulter (66) and Graeme McDowell (68).
Lee looked to have slipped off the pace set by Thomas when he doublebogeyed the 10th hole after just missing the green and then leaving his chip short.
However, he fought back well with birdies at the 12th and 15th before his closing eagle. Lee hit the island green with his second shot on the par-five 18th, but he was about 60 feet from the cup and and had to navigate a ridge in the green – he made no mistake and fist-pumped as the putt dropped in.
Defending CJ Cup champion and top-ranked Brooks Koepka withdrew from the tournament before the third round after aggravating a left knee injury a day earlier when he slipped on wet concrete. JB Holmes also withdrew after the first nine holes of his third round with an unknown ailment.
Koepka, playing his second event since stem cell treatment on the knee August 25, shot a 3-over 75 on Friday at Nine Bridges after opening with a 69. He was 13 strokes behind Thomas in the limited-field event with no cut.
‘‘After consulting with my doctor, I have decided to withdraw from the CJ Cup and head home for further tests,’’ Koepka said. ‘‘I appreciate everyone’s concerns and support. I’ll keep you posted.’’
Koepka returned to Florida to meet with his doctors, leaving his status for the HSBC Champions in two weeks in China uncertain. He missed the cut two weeks ago in his season debut.
The CJ Cup is the first of three PGA Tour events in Asia, continuing next week at the Zozo Championship in Japan – which will feature Tiger Woods – and ending with the World Golf Championship event in Shanghai.
Meanwhile, Kiwi star Lydia Ko was tied 17th at the LPGA Shanghai after a two-under 70 took her to three under.