Greg Owen and Fabian Gomez, each in search of a first US PGA Tour win, posted three-under-par 67s on Saturday to share the third-round lead at the St Jude Classic.
England’s Owen, a 43-year-old playing in his 214th PGA Tour event, had four birdies and one bogey. Argentina’s Gomez had six birdies and three bogeys as the duo topped the leaderboard on nine-under-par 201.
On a day when fickle winds made life tricky, overnight leader Brooks Koepka shook off a bogey at the second with an eagle at the third, but did not make a birdie until the 18th — capping a 71 that left him tied for third on 202.
He was joined by Scott Brown, who carded a 68.
It was a further two strokes back to Australian Matt Jones and American Austin Cook on 204, Jones after a 68 and Cook with a 72.
Five-time major winner Phil Mickelson, tuning up for a title tilt at the US Open starting on Thursday, could not find the low round he was hoping for to build momentum heading into the second major of the year.
Mickelson, who has six US Open runner-up finishes, opened his day with a double bogey at the first.
Two bogeys and four birdies later, he had an even-par 70 to head a group on 207 — six shots off the pace.
“I fought hard to get the round back to even par,” Mickelson said.
“I’m pleased with that. I’m disappointed I didn’t make a better run for tomorrow. I think right around 10-under is going to win this golf tournament. The course is playing challenging enough,” he said.
Mickelson, who could complete a career Grand Slam with a US Open victory, has not won a title this season.
His two top-10 finishes include a share of second at the Masters.
LYONESS OPEN
Frenchman Gregory Bourdy takes a two-shot lead into the final round of the Lyoness Open with Spaniard Rafa Cabrera-Bello his closest rival and Englishman Chris Wood five shots adrift.
The 33-year-old Bourdy, from Bordeaux, followed rounds of seven-under 65 and five-under 67 with a 69 on Saturday as he pursues a first victory since the Wales Open in 2013.
Bourdy has had three top-10 finishes this season and missed only two cuts as he chases a fifth career EPGA victory.
The last time he led after three rounds was in 2009 at the Hong Kong Open when he went on to win his first and only Asian Tour event.
The day’s play at the Diamond Country Club was delayed by 95 minutes due to storms.
Cabrera-Bello’s round of 66 included an eagle at the par-fourth third hole and six birdies with two back-nine bogeys.
Wood, who finished fourth at the recent European PGA Championship, where he won a brand new car with a hole-in-one, nailed four.
However, he was undone by a double bogey at the ninth and bogey at the 17th in a round of 70.
Scotland’s Scott Jamieson and Englishman Matthew Fitzpatrick are on nine-under and six shots off the pace with American John Hahn and Finland’s Mikko Korhonen a further shot back.
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