It’s been a strong week for Shane Lowry at TPC River Highlands in Connecticut and he appears to have overcome his recent slump and is right in contention for a strong finish at the final signature event of the year.
Erasing the struggles of last weeks U.S. Open from his mind, Lowry was faultless in Saturday’s third round posting a bogey free six-under-par to see him climb the leaderboard to T5.
Saturday red figures started at the par-5 sixth and par-4 seventh for Lowry, as the Offaly man parred his way to the turn to sit two-under with nine to play.
The back nine was Lowry’s better of two halves, starting with a textbook tee shot at the par-3 11th that left him just three feet from the hole for a tap-in two.
Another birdie came at the par-5 13th before two more at the 15th and 16th, making it four birdies on the back. Lowry’s third round 64 now puts him to 13-under, seven strokes back from Viktor Hovland who leads.
Hovland may thank Norway’s early world cup success for the influx of Nordic’s in their famous red jerseys who cheered on the 28-year-old as he posted a six-under-par round to lead the tournament into the final round with a score of 20-under.
“I think the World Cup obviously brings a few extra ones (fans), and the jerseys. Yeah, it was awesome,” said Hovland.
“It’s nice to shoot a good score, but I’m very process-driven. As soon as I find a certain feel that I can trust and it produces a pretty reliable shot shape, I know that I’m going to be able to score pretty well from there,” he added.
Hovland will tee up alongside world no.1 Scottie Scheffler on Sunday who sits just one back at 19-under, and the Norwegian is relishing the oppurtunity.
“We have a good rapport, and I think we both have a lot of respect for each other’s games. When he hits a good shot, I try to hit a good shot, and there’s mutual respect. We say, Good shot, to each other. I think it’s a really good vibe,” said Hovland.
Scheffler, who posted a 10-under round on Friday, shot a three-under-par 67 as he looks to add to his lone 2026 win which came in January.
“I think the conditions tomorrow should be pretty similar to what they were today. Definitely a lot of birdies out there. So, you know, got to be hitting some shots and holing in putts, as well,” said Scheffler.
Patrick Cantlay and Akshay Bhatia occupy T3 with a score of 15-under. Although Hovland and Scheffler have a healthy lead, I wouldn’t write off these two yet.
“I’ve just got to worry about my game and what I’m going to do. Around this place if you get hot with the putter, you can make a bunch of birdies. Hopefully get off it a fast start tomorrow and keep going,” said Cantlay.
Winner of last weeks U.S. Open Wyndham Clarke will tee off alongside Shane Lowry on the final day as he joins Lowry in T5. Clarke has really picked up the pace after a relatively slow start on Thursday.
“You play U.S. Open, and pars feel like birdies. Then you come out here, and you know, pars feel like almost bogeys. Kind of got myself in decent position. Going to have to shoot something low to get the win, but at least we’re in a good spot,” said the now two-time major champion.
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