McGirt secures Riviera lead

William McGirt claimed a two-shot lead after the third round of the Northern Trust Open when he carded a six-under-par 65 on Saturday.
The unheralded American was two strokes off the pace when the second round was completed earlier in the day, but took advantage of some favourable pin positions to birdie five of his first six holes.
Although he picked up a pair of bogeys in his fine round, three more birdies in the first four holes after the turn saw him reach 12-under after 54 holes to claim a two-shot lead over George McNeill and Charlie Beljan.
“Played really solid, hit a lot of good iron shots and good putts,” the 34-year-old journeyman told reporters after his round.
“On the putting green, my stroke felt fast and I’ve been working hard trying to slow it down. Nothing felt good warming up, the putter didn’t feel good and the swing really didn’t feel good.
“I hit a lot of good shots and starting out, the hole looked like a washtub. All in all, it was pretty good all day.”
McNeill eagled the first hole en route to a 66, while Beljan carded a 68.
Another pair of American players – Brian Harman (68) and Jason Allred (67) – were another stroke further behind on nine under.
A group of seven players go into the final round on eight-under, including Masters champions Bubba Watson (64) and Charl Schwartzel (68), 2013 PGA Tour rookie of the year Jordan Spieth (67) and Dustin Johnson (69).
“This is what we strive to do, have a chance on Sunday,” Watson told reporters from the clubhouse after his bogey-free.
“I’m looking for the back nine tomorrow, having a chance.
“You don’t want to come to the back nine going, ‘Well, if I shoot 30, then I still don’t have a chance to win.’ I want that chance to win going into the back nine tomorrow.”
Latest
-
News
Collin Morikawa keen to draw inspiration from family ties to Hawaii at Sony Open
Venezuela’s Jhonattan Vegas has withdrawn from the event after testing positive for coronavirus.
-
News
R&A: ‘No plans’ for Open to head to Donald Trump-owned Turnberry in near future
Trump National in Bedminster was on Sunday stripped of next year’s US PGA Championship.
-
News
US PGA Championship moved from Donald Trump-owned course in New Jersey
Trump National in Bedminster had been set to host the event.
-
News
Justin Thomas : ‘I made a terrible, terrible judgement call’
Thomas admitted he was distracted by what happened on Saturday during his final round.
-
News
PGA Championship to be moved away from Donald Trump-owned course
It is the second time in six years the PGA has moved an event away from a course owned by Donald Trump.
-
News
‘It’s inexcusable’ – Justin Thomas apologises for homophobic slur in Hawaii
The world number three was heard using the derogatory word towards himself after missing a par putt.
-
News
Westwood, McDowell back petition to allow English golf courses to open
The duo have added their names to a petition that has passed 100 000 signatures.
-
News
Xander Schauffele pledges to ‘fake it until I make it’ after contracting Covid
Schauffele is one of 16 players in the Sentry Tournament of Champions who failed to win an official event last season.
-
News
After years with TaylorMade, Jon Rahm joins Callaway
Spaniard will have Callaway woods and irons in his bag at Sentry Tournament of Champions.
-
News
What to expect from the 2021 OMEGA Dubai Desert Classic
There are more prestigious events on the European Tour, but there’s no denying that the Dubai Desert Classic just has something about it.