Lee up by three at Phoenix Open
Danny Lee carded a four-under-par 67 to take a three-shot lead in front of the largest crowd in golf history at the Phoenix Open.
Lee, who is on 13-under, is followed by world number four Rickie Fowler and Japan’s Hideki Matsuyama, who are in a tie for second on 10-under.
Bryce Molder surged up the leaderboard to join Boo Weekley in a tie for fourth at nine-under, while Phil Mickelson occupies sixth place on eight-under. Bubba Watson meanwhile plunged down the leaderboard into a tie for 39th and remains 11 strokes adrift of the lead on two-under.
In front of an estimated crowd of 201,003, which surpasses the previous record of 189,722 at the same tournament in 2014, Lee enjoyed a successful front nine as he started his third round with a hat-trick of birdies from the second to fourth before sinking a superb 39-foot birdie putt at the eighth. However, Lee was unable to maintain his momentum on the back nine as he made two birdies and two bogeys.
Fowler, who fired a one-under-par 70, began his round with a 17-foot birdie putt at the first. He then went on to make two more birdies and a bogey to round off a fairly successful front nine. Fowler faltered on the back nine though as he missed two simple par putts to record back-to-back bogeys at the 11th and 12th before going on to make a birdie at the 13th.
Matsuyama converted a 30-foot birdie putt to start his third round before proceeding to make another birdie at the fifth and a bogey at the seventh, which occurred when he missed a six-foot par putt. Heading into the back nine, Matsuyama made three birdies, which included a 35-foot chip-in at the 14th, and a bogey.
Mickelson rocketed 31 spots up the leaderboard following his round of six-under-par 65, which consisted of six birdies, including a 22-foot putt at the seventh and a 29-foot putt on his final hole of the day at the ninth.
Watson struggled on Saturday as he hit a two-over-par 73, during which he made three birdies, three bogeys and a double bogey at the par-four eighth.
Meanwhile, overnight leader James Hahn dropped down into a tie for seventh following his round of three-over-par 74, which saw him make four birdies, three bogeys and consecutive double bogeys at the par-five 13th and par-four 14th.
Latest
-
Courses
Six of the toughest holes in golf anywhere in the world
Check out six of the toughest holes in golf
-
Instruction
WATCH: Tommy Fleetwood explains his three-quarter swing
Tommy Fleetwood has an interesting swing style which has caught the attention of many.
-
Equipment
Lucas Glover raises eyebrows with new broomstick putter from L.A.B
Lucas Glover is set to switch the new L.A.B. Golf DF3 broomstick putter into his bag after a brief trial.
-
Videos
WATCH: Dog proves why he’s man’s best friend with refreshments delivery on golf course
Just when you think a man’s best friend couldn’t get any better somebody shows us they can.
-
Equipment
Cameron Young trialling unusual prototype club at The Players
Cameron Young is out to solve a great riddle of the Players Stadium Course in Palm Valley with an unusual but logical addition to his bag.
-
Courses
How much will a round at Glendower Golf Club’s championship course set you back?
Glendower Golf Club is both beautiful and challenging.
-
Equipment
Ping’s G730 irons deliver on promises of more distance and maximum forgiveness
Ping deliver easy-to-hit high-launch distance irons.
-
Videos
WATCH: Golfer defies logic with sand wedge escape filmed in super-satisfying slow-mo
You won’t see anything more satisfying today.
-
News
Rickie Fowler’s driver trials and tribulations show how tough it is for pros to find the right fit
The driver struggles have been real for Rickie Fowler.