Thomas keeps clean card for 2-shot lead
Justin Thomas kept another clean card at Muirfield Village and had a 6under 66 to turn a three-shot deficit into a two-shot lead Saturday in the Workday Charity Open.
Thomas first had to run off a string of birdies to stay within range of Collin Morikawa. And when Morikawa began to fade with three bogeys in a four-hole stretch around the turn, Thomas converted on the par 5s and played wisely on the short par- 4 14th for another birdie to hold off Viktor Hovland.
The final group is a glimpse of golf ’s next generation.
Thomas is the proven star, already a major champion and former world No. 1 at age 27 as he goes after his third victory this season and the 13th victory of his career.
Hovland and Morikawa had just left college at this time last year.
Hovland, the former U. S. Amateur champion from Norway, had eight birdies in his round of 66 and was two shots behind. Morikawa had to birdie the 18th for a 72.
Thomas figures it won’t be the first time they all play together.
“It’ll be fun to hang with those guys tomorrow, but at the end of the day I’m worried about myself and trying to win a golf tournament and have a good round,” he said.
Thomas was at 16-under 200. The final round will start early because of heavy storms in the forecast Sunday afternoon, with threesomes starting on both tees.
Fish leads American Century celebrity tournament
Former tennis player Mardy Fish birdied the final five holes Saturday to take a three-point lead over former Buffalo defensive tackle Kyle Williams in the American Century Championship.
The celebrity tournament is being played without fans at Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course because of the coronavirus pandemic. The $600,000 purse and additional money are being donated to organizations supporting COVID-19 relief efforts, the Equal Justice Initiative and Lake Tahoe regional non-profits.
Fish had a 37-point round under the modified Stableford scoring system. He opened with a bogey, then made 10 birdies in a 9-under 63 to push his two-day points total to 55.
The nearly 300-pound Williams is trying to become the first lineman to win the event. He had a 27-point day, making an eagle, five birdies and six bogeys in a 71.
Former pitcher John Smoltz was third at 37 points. Two-time defending champion Tony Romo was tied for fourth at 36 with Dell Curry and Derek Lowe.
Golden State star Stephen Curry was 11th with 30 points.
Charles Barkley was 70th in the 71-player field with minus-50 points. Former running back Eddie George was three points behind Barkley.