Merritt plots conservative Sunday
Troy Merritt overcame a mid-round double bogey to open a three-shot lead ahead of the fourth day at the RBC Heritage.
The American shot a two-under 69 in the opening round, then equaled the tournament record of 61 on the second day.
He carded another 69 on Thursday, with four birdies and double bogey on the eighth hole taking his overall score to 14-under.
Brendon Todd, Kevin Kisner and Matt Kuchar are tied for second on 11-under, after respective scores of 63, 67 and 68.
Merritt says he intends to take a low-risk approach in Sunday’s final round and make the trio chase him.
“I think it will be nice playing in the final round this time around. It will be nice to see what everybody else is doing, the guys closest to me,” he told the PGA Tour website.
“(I’ll) just play solid golf. Put as much pressure on them as I can, make them try and take some risks, and just try and make pars, throw in an occasional birdie, and make them come and get me.”
Todd, Kisner and Kuchar will not be the only trio chasing hard on Sunday. Brice Garnett, Branden Grace and Jim Furyk are tied for fifth on ten under and in with a shout of catching up to the overnight leader.
The same can be said about Bo van Pelt and Masters Tournament champion Jordan Spieth, who are tied for eighth on nine-under.
Spieth carded a three-over 74 in his first round, but overcame his “Masters Hangover” to shoot 62 on Friday and a 68 on Saturday.
The 21-year-old is happy to play the role of aggressor in the final round, and believes he could still finish near the summit of the leaderboard
“I’m going to be really aggressive. If it doesn’t work out … then it was still a great stretch. And if I get out there and hit the shots that I want to hit, then I’ve got a possibility of contending again,” he said.
“Anything can happen on a course like this. And there are 8- and 9-under rounds out there. You just have to have the right breaks.”
Should he win on Sunday, Spieth will become the first Masters champion to win the RBC Heritage since Bernhard Langer in 1985.
Latest
-
NewsPadraig Harrington expecting ‘serious party’ if Ryder Cup played with crowds
Harrington accepts playing with no crowds would be a better option than another postponement.
-
NewsRyder Cup qualification ‘one of the biggest goals’ of 2021 for Sergio Garcia
The Spaniard is the top points scorer in the competition’s history.
-
News‘My best is ahead of me’ – Justin Rose motivated by winning majors, not rankings
The Englishman endured a first winless season since 2009 in 2020 and starts this week’s Omega Dubai Desert Classic ranked 38th in the world.
-
NewsJustin Rose concerned about his chances of defending his Olympic title
Rose won gold in Rio in 2016 but the former world number one is currently outside the qualifying places.
-
NewsRory McIlroy on latest near-miss in Abu Dhabi: ‘I don’t feel like I played great’
McIlroy avoids mentioning final-round blues but admits he needs to get more consistent.
-
NewsTyrrell Hatton eyes Ryder Cup spot after winning Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship
Hatton carded a closing 66 to finish 18 under par.
-
NewsTyrrell Hatton wins Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship as Rory McIlroy misses out
Australia’s Jason Scrivener recorded an eagle and five birdies in a back nine of 29 to claim second place.
-
NewsRory McIlroy leads the way in Abu Dhabi as he eyes overdue victory
McIlroy will have to keep his Ryder Cup team-mates at bay if he is to claim the trophy.
-
NewsTyrrell Hatton dominant as Rory McIlroy falters in Abu Dhabi
Hatton led by five shots at the end of a second weather-affected day.
-
NewsPhil Mickelson on Tiger’s latest surgery: ‘I feel bad because golf should be a game of a lifetime’
Mickelson admitted he was saddened by the news of Woods’ latest back surgery.