Rookie Theegala one ahead
MISSISSIPPI: Sahith Theegala, chasing his first US PGA title, fired a bogey-free fiveunder-par 67 to grab a one-stroke lead after Saturday’s third round of the Sanderson Farms Championship.
The 23-year-old American, a rookie making only his 15th US PGA start, stood on 18-under 198 after 54 holes at the Country Club of Jackson in Mississippi.
“It’s pretty unreal,” Theegala said. “Pretty cool.”
Sharing second on 199 were compatriots Cameron Tringale, Sam Burns, Cameron Young and Denny McCarthy. Americans Trey Mullinax and Seth Reeves shared sixth on 200.
Theegala, who won three awards last year recognising him as the top US college golfer, rolled in his only front-nine birdie from just inside 22 feet at the par-4 sixth.
He began the back nine, however, with three birdies, all from about six feet, and dropped his approach inches from the cup to set up a birdie at the par-4 15th to seize the lead alone.
Theegala, whose best PGA finish was a share of 14th last year at Napa, escaped bogey at 16 thanks to a pitch to three feet and at 17 by sinking a par putt from just inside seven feet.
Tringale, 34 and also chasing his first US PGA title, fired a bogey-free 62, the lowest round of his PGA career.
McCarthy, also chasing his first PGA title, and Burns, who won his first in May at Valspar, each fired 65s while Young shot 67.