Kitayama’s finish gives him one-shot lead at Bay Hill
Kurt Kitayama steadied himself down the stretch Saturday at Bay Hill in Orlando, Fla., closing with two birdies over the last three holes to escape with an evenpar 72 and a one-shot lead in the Arnold Palmer Invitational.
Now comes the hard part for Kitayama, a 30-year-old Californian going after his first PGA Tour victory.
Defending champion Scottie Scheffler had five birdies over his last seven holes in warm gusts that made Bay Hill tough as ever. He finished with a 68 and was one shot behind, along with Viktor Hovland of Norway (66).
Rory McIlroy, Jordan Spieth, Justin Thomas and Max Homa all were within range of Kitayama if he were to lose ground.
Early birdies boost rookie Echavarria
PGA Tour rookie Nico Echavarria of Colombia ran off four straight birdies early in his round and finished with a seven-under 65 for a two-shot lead in the
Puerto Rico Open as he goes for his first PGA Tour victory.
Carson Young, who led the opening two rounds at Grand Reserve, had to birdie the last hole for a 71 and was Echavarria’s closest pursuer.
Ko takes over Singapore lead
Jin Young Ko shot a second consecutive sevenunder 65 to take a two-stroke lead over Nelly Korda into the final round of the LPGA’s Women’s World Championship in Singapore.
Ko had a 54-hole total of 14-under 202 after another weather-delayed day.
Toms shoots 65, takes Tucson lead
David Toms shot a sevenunder 65 to jump into the lead at the Cologuard Classic in Tucson.
Toms opened with consecutive birdies and made the turn with a six-under 30. He birdied Nos. 10, 14 and 17 but had bogeys on Nos. 16 to 18 to finish 36 holes at 11 under.
Toms has a two-shot lead over Robert Karlsson of Sweden.