Spieth fires a 65 to take a six-stroke advantage
Jordan Spieth had a performance that matched the magnificent views — finally — at Pebble Beach on Saturday.
Spieth took only 10 putts on the back nine, closed with a pitch that checked up inches from the cup for another birdie and shot a 7-under 65 to open up a six-shot lead going in the final round of the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am.
Starting out the weather-delayed event tied with Jason Day and Derek Fathauer, Spieth never gave anyone a chance.
Following his only bogey of the round — a 7iron over the cliffs on No. 8 that narrowly stayed up in the rough above the putting surface — he ran off three straight birdies, made a tough, curling 6foot par putt on the 12th and then closed with three birdies.
He was at 17-under 197 and had his largest 54hole lead on the PGA Tour.
Brandt Snedeker did his part with a 30 on the front nine — he started on No. 10 — for a 67 to pull within two shots when he finished.
Dustin Johnson saved par from a shot into the Pacific Ocean on No. 18 for a 66. He was seven shots behind.
The third round was a mixed bag for the Madison duo of Steve Stricker and Jerry Kelly.
Stricker carded a 2-under 70 at Pebble Beach but was back in the pack at 3 under for the tournament.
Kelly soared to a 77 at Pebble Beach and missed the cut
In the pro-am competition, Kelly and Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers missed the cut along with Stricker and country music star Toby Keith.
Champions Tour: Doug Garwood, Joe Durant, Scott McCarron and first-round leader Olin Browne shared the top spot after the second round of the Allianz Championship in Boca Raton, Fla.