Love trusts experience in hunt for another win
WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, W.Va. — Davis Love III believes his experience might give him an edge as he tries to become the PGA Tour’s oldest winner at age 53.
But first he must surpass several others on the leaderboard today, including a rookie trying to become the first wire-to-wire winner at The Greenbrier Classic.
Sebastian Munoz shot a 2-under-par 68 Saturday to maintain a two-stroke lead over Robert Streb after the third round. The 24-yearold Colombian was at 14-under 196 at Old White TPC. Streb shot a 65.
Jamie Lovemark and Xander Schauffele — another rookie — each shot a 66, and they were tied for third at 11 under.
Another stroke back in fifth were Russell Henley (68), Kelly Kraft (67) and Love (68), a two-time Ryder Cup captain who will enter the World Golf Hall of Fame in September and likes his chances today.
“Under the pressure, I know how to handle things,” Love said. “I’ve seen some guys this week kind of go up and down and make some rookie mistakes, including myself. I’m going to make mistakes, too, but hopefully the experience will pay off.”
At No. 221 in the FedEx Cup standings, Love wants to make the season-ending playoffs and is among those trying to qualify for the British Open in two weeks. The leading four players not already exempt from the top 12 finishers will earn spots. Henley is the only player in the top 10 who has already qualified.
Sam Snead won the last of his eight titles at Greensboro in 1965 at 52 years, 10 months, 8 days. Love will try to break the mark at the former playground of Snead, who was the longtime head pro and pro emeritus at The Greenbrier resort.
Love’s last win was two years ago at the Wyndham Championship, making him the tour’s third-oldest winner.
“I don’t think much about age,” Love said. “I think that I want to go out and compete. There’s a reason why I keep having surgery, coming back, doing the rehab and trying to play. There’s a lot to play for, not just for this week but for the rest of the season. I’m going to stay after it.”
Munoz welcomes the challenge, especially from Love.
“That would be awesome if he wins,” Munoz said. “He has to beat me and all the other guys. We’ll just have to wait and see what happens.”
Former Baylor School standout Harris English had his best round of the tournament, shooting a 67 to make a big jump into a tie for 20th at 4 under.
Rahm catches Im
PORTSTEWART, Northern Ireland — Jon Rahm shot a second straight 5-under 67 and moved into a share of the lead with Daniel Im after three rounds at the Irish Open.
On a day of good scoring over the links at Portstewart Golf Club, the 11th-ranked Rahm moved to 17 under overall after making four consecutive birdies from No. 11, then parring his way home.
Im, who was tied for the lead with Benjamin Hebert after the first two rounds, birdied five of his opening 14 holes and scrambled superbly at the end to shoot a 68 and stay alongside Rahm. Hebert is a stroke behind after shooting a 69.
Rahm, one of golf’s hottest talents, tied for 10th at the French Open last week in the Spaniard’s first appearance on the European Tour. He won the PGA Tour’s Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines in January for his only professional victory.
Having turned pro only a little more than a year ago, Rahm also finished third and second in his first two World Golf Championship events.
“I’ve never led going into the final round, so I am a little inexperienced in that sense,” Rahm said. “But I know what I did at Torrey Pines, both good and bad. Hopefully I won’t need two eagles in the last five holes again to win tomorrow.”
Im, a 32-year-old American, is No. 542 in the World Golf Ranking and has never won one a major tour event.
Six other golfers were within four strokes of the lead.
Kirk still in front
ONEIDA, Wis. — Katherine Kirk shot a 7-under 65 to open a four-stroke lead in the Thornberry Creek LPGA Classic and move into position to challenge the tour’s 72-hole record.
Coming off a careerbest 63 Friday, the 35-year-old Australian reached 20-under 196 in the first year event at Thornberry Creek, an Oneida Nation-owned resort near Green Bay.
The LPGA Tour record for 72 holes is 27 under, set by Annika Sorenstam in the 2001 Standard Register Ping in Phoenix and matched by Sei Young Kim last year in the Founders Cup, also in Phoenix.
Ashleigh Buhai was second after a 65, and Ayako Uehara (65) and Jodi Ewart Shadoff (66) were tied for third at 13 under.
Baylor School graduate Brooke Pancake was among those who were unable to complete the second round after a weather delay Friday evening, and she wrapped up a 73 on Saturday to make the cut on the number at 3 under. She turned in another 73 in the third round later in the day and was tied for 70th.