Niemann breaks Riviera’s 54-hole record

Joaquin Niemann couldn’t find a fairway over the final two hours at Riviera, and it didn’t matter. He still pieced together a 3-under 68 to set the 54hole record and build a three-shot lead in the Genesis Invitational in Los Angeles.

“I’m having the best time of my life,” Niemann said. “I just can’t wait to have a good day tomorrow.”

Cameron Young, the 24-year-old PGA Tour rookie, kept it close until taking two shots to get out of a plugged lie in the bunker in front of the par-3 16th green and making double bogey. He had a 69 and was three behind.

Niemann, a 23-year-old from Chile, was at 19-under 194, breaking by two shots the record for three rounds last held by Justin Thomas in 2017.

Bernhard Langer maintained a two-stroke lead in pursuit of a fourth PGA Tour Champions Chubb Classic title in Naples, Florida. A day after shooting his age, the 64-year-old German star carded a 4-under 68 to get to 12-under 132.