A share of the 54-hole lead, in his home state of Texas, a chance to make history and become the first player since Rory McIlroy in 2014 to win three successive strokeplay events on the PGA Tour. For Scottie Scheffler, today is just another day.
Scheffler shares the lead heading into the final round of the Texas Children’s Houston Open on nine-under-par after a third round of 66, knowing he is beautifully placed to win for the third straight week. However, he isn’t thinking about etching his name into the record books just yet.
“Not really. Winning the last two doesn’t help me do anything tomorrow. We’re still tied for the lead or one back, I don’t know what the guys behind me are doing right now on 18,” said the world number one.
“Yeah, stick to my process. I think it’s going to be another pretty challenging day out there with high winds. Stick to my process and control what I can control out there.”
Scheffler shares the lead with David Skinns, Stephen Jaeger, Thomas Detry and Alejandro Tosti, none of whom have a PGA Tour win and the former Masters winner is in ominous form heading into the final day.
“Yeah, feel like I did a lot of stuff really well out there today. Feel like I played better than my score. I had a few shots I didn’t really get rewarded for and somewhat punished for some pretty good shots.
“But overall, yeah, it was nice to finish with those two birdies. Hit a really good shot into 16, good shot into 17. Yeah, felt like I did a lot of things well today.”
Belgium’s Detry has had numerous near misses on the DP World Tour and this year on the PGA Tour, but he insists he has learned from his experiences as he chases a first win on any of the main tours at the age of 31.
“Probably starting the week, my putting was great, got some great up-and-downs. I felt like overall today tee to green my game was much better, I hit a lot of greens today, a lot of looks for birdie. A little bit outside looks, to be honest, just kind of outside 20 fetal every time. I felt like my iron shots were much stronger, good off the tee as well. Left a couple of putts short, but overall really pleased with the way I am right now. I think it’s third time I’m in contention since the start of the year, or at least within the final group. Yeah, I think I’ve learned from my experiences and hopefully I can post a number tomorrow.”
Amex champion Nick Dunlap has found the going tough since winning as an amateur, one week before turning professional, missing three of five cuts with a best finish of 48th. However, at world number 73 he proved why he is not going to be a flash in the pan with a 63 to move to within one of the lead.
“We were at Cheesecake Factory with Hunter, we were going through the round saying, ‘OK, I could do this better, do this better,'” Dunlap said Saturday. “All I tried to do today was play perfect with what I had. Not necessarily like perfect golf but getting the easy ones up and down, not three-putting. You’re not going to make every putt and you’re not going to hit every wedge close, but from where I was, trying to play a perfect round of golf, and I feel like I did that.”
Overnight leader Tony Finau is two shots back after a 72.
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