Shane Lowry slumped to a three-over 74 as he fell back to level-par through 54 holes at the RBC Heritage in Hilton Head.
It’s been a tough year for Lowry on the greens and there have been little signs of improvement this week as he ranks 73rd in strokes gained putting, 71st in putts per green and 72nd in total putts.
His good golf has not been rewarded in a season that has been devoid of momentum so far and he will enter the final round a distant fourteen shots adrift of Matt Fitzpatrick who seems to have found the spark that Lowry so desperately needs.
Fitzy has struggled for form and fitness this year but a top-10 at the Masters seems to have reignited him and he looks an ominous figure once again as the bulk of the major season edges closer.
The US Open champion shot a flawless 63 including an eagle on the par-4 3rd as he raced to fourteen-under to lead Patrick Cantlay by one.
The Sheffield man is looking for his first regular PGA Tour victory after posting his lowest round on tour.
“Yeah, it’s obviously a great start to the round. It puts you in great position, 3-under through 3. For me, that’s ideally the start you need on a Saturday, isn’t it. It just gets you off to a good start.
“I think this is a golf course that’s shown that there are low scores around here this week, and to do that for myself is a big positive.”
Defending champion Jordan Spieth is a shot behind Cantlay on -12 after a 66. The Texan usually shows great form this time of year and he has also kicked on from a positive showing at Augusta National with his own grand slam bid at the PGA Championship coming soon.
“Anytime you have a chance on a Sunday you’ve accomplished your goal for the week. Then it just becomes go out there and get it done and try to separate yourself. You know you’re going to have nervous shots and pressure-packed shots, and that’s where the fun is.
“For me, that’s why I got into this gig. The ball is in your hands, and I’ve had plenty of times where it’s worked out, I’ve had plenty of times where it doesn’t, but each time I never regretted being in that situation.”
Tommy Fleetwood will have another chance to earn his maiden PGA Tour victory on Sunday from eleven-under alongside 36-hole leader Jimmy Walker and Scottie Scheffler.
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