Las Vegas Review-Journal (Sunday)

Morikawa slips but keeps lead

Las Vegas resident settles for two-shot edge at Concession

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BRADENTON, Fla. — PGA champion Collin Morikawa made seven birdies in an eight-hole stretch Saturday and made it look as though

no one could catch him. GOLF All it took was two bad holes to turn the Workday Open into a chase. The Las Vegas resident shot 5-under-par 67 at The Concession Golf Club, a reasonable score except for what it could have been. When he drove to the front of the green on the 316-yard 12th hole and made an 8-foot birdie, he was at 17 under, and no one else was closer than five shots.

He wound up at 15-under 201 with a two-shot lead over Brooks Koepka (70), who got his mistakes out the way early, and Billy Horschel (69).

Rory McIlroy, who made a double bogey for the second straight day, was hopeful of getting to 10 under to give himself a chance. He did one better with a 66, including an eagle on the par-5 13th that gave so many players fits, and wound up four shots back.

Morikawa’s troubles began on the 13th, and it looked harmless enough when he put his approach from the rough into the bunker and blasted out to 25 feet for a look at another birdie. Except that he left his putt 6 feet short and missed the next one to take bogey.

He also made bogey on the par-5 17th, the easiest hole at Concession on Saturday, by finding a bunker off the tee, having to lay up short of the water and then hitting into another bunker.

Morikawa found plenty of positives. He still had a two-shot lead. His putting stroke feels better than ever, and a chipping tip from Concession member Paul Azinger has left him confident on the short-game shots off the Bermuda grass.

■ LPGA: At Orlando, Fla., Nelly Korda shot 4-under 68 for a 13-under 203 total to take a one-stroke lead into the Gainbridge’s final round, leaving the 22-year-old in position to make it two straight wins for the Korda family to start the season. Sister Jessica, 28, won the Diamond Resorts Tournament of Champions last month. Patty Tavatanaki­t (66) was alone in second. Annika Sorenstam (79) fell to last place by four shots at 9-over 225.

■ Champions: At Tucson, Ariz., Mike Weir went on a back-nine birdie binge in a 5-under 67 that left him at 13-under 133 with a two-shot lead entering the Cologuard Classic’s final round. Kevin Sutherland (67) was alone in second, with Scott Parel (67) another shot back. Phil Mickelson (72) fell nine back in his bid for a third straight tour win.

■ PGA: At Rio Grande, Puerto Rico, local favorite Rafael Campos shot 5-under 67 to grab a share of the Puerto Rico Open lead with Grayson Murray (65) after waiting out multiple rain delays at windy Grand Reserve. Cameron Percy (67) and Branden Grace (68) were one stroke back.

 ?? Phelan M. Ebenhack The Associated Press ?? Las Vegas resident Collin Morikawa watches his shot from a bunker sail toward the 17th green Saturday in the third round of the Workday Championsh­ip at The Concession Golf Club. He shot 5-under-par 67 for a 15-under 201 total and a two-stroke lead.
Phelan M. Ebenhack The Associated Press Las Vegas resident Collin Morikawa watches his shot from a bunker sail toward the 17th green Saturday in the third round of the Workday Championsh­ip at The Concession Golf Club. He shot 5-under-par 67 for a 15-under 201 total and a two-stroke lead.

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