SAN FRANCISCO – A long wait for the first golf march of 2020 is rewarded with an impressive Leaderboard and many opportunities on the way to the final round of the PGA Championship.
TPC Harding Park has proven to be a worthy test, with many problems lurking and yet opportunities for fireworks. Birds are to be had, but golf balls must also be dragged through deep rough and cypress trees.
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With a similarly cool prediction for Sunday, here’s a look at the runners-up to the final round, including Dustin Johnson and Brooks Koepka, who are within reach of a third straight PGA Championship and a fifth major title.
Score -9
Position: leader
Maybe DJ found the key to success: A yardage book is overrated. Actually, Johnson lost his, and he had to rely on his brother and caddy, AJ, for the intricate details at Harding Park. Johnson shot 31 on the back and fired three of the last five holes to shoot 65 – despite a double bogey at the ninth.
Johnson, 36, has now shot eight straight laps in the 60s at the PGA Championship and is in a position to win that incredible second major championship. Ten years after the PGA blew epic fashion – he was penalized two penalties for founding his club in an 18-hole bunker to miss a playoff at Whistling Straits – he has another excellent chance after being four back to start on Saturday of the third round.
“I’ve been here a while now,” said Johnson, whose lone major title came at the US Open 2016. ” I’ve had a lot of controversy, and I’ve done it many times. [On Sunday]to, it is no different. I will have to play good golf if I want to win. It’s simple: I have to ride a lot of fairways and a lot of greens. If I can do that, I’ll have a good chance of getting the piece down to the back nine. ‘ ‘
Score: -8
Position: T-2
This is new territory for Scheffler, 24, who is playing in just his fourth major championship and his first PGA. He still won on the PGA Tour. Birdies on three straight holes on the back nine gave him a share of the lead, ahead of a bogey at 18 for a 65. He is one back of Johnson and will play with him in the final round.
“There are definitely some nerves, but I just have to try to treat them as best I can and go out and play,” Scheffler said. “And I did a good job of that [in Saturday’s round] just stay within the right frame of mine, make good, positive swings, and make some fun birds. “
Score: -8
Position: T-2
It has been a hit-or-miss career for Champ, who has two PGA Tour victories – but only two other top-10 finishes. This is just the third major championship for Champ, 25, who tied for 54th at last year’s PGA Tour. Champ followed his Friday 64 with a 67, and his long game is well suited for Harding Park. But he is a newcomer to the great pressure.
Score: -7
Position: T-4
Barely a year before that, there is a lot of advantage for Morikawa, who deserved his second career victory a second week ago and at the age of 23 seems to be unforgettable. From high school just 15 months, he plays beyond his experience. Three birds near the end of his round on Saturday helped him get into controversy, just two back, after day six began behind.
“I had to play well,” he said. Who knows if one of the leaders will shoot 5 or 6 under and really separate themselves. To have a chance, I at least had to shoot a pretty good round. Now anyone can happen. ”
Score: -7
Position: T-4
The Englishman quietly hung around with scores of 68-67-68 to give himself a shot at his first major championship. Only Sergio Garcia (74) and Tom Kite (72) had more important starts than Casey (64) before winning their first. At 43, Casey would also be the third oldest player behind Jerry Barber and Roberto De Vicenzo to win his first major title.
Score: -7
Position: T-4
The search for history appeared when he hit three straight holes on the back nine. But Koepka never seems to be denied in the major, and he wants to force himself to take birdies on two of the last three holes within Johnson’s two shots.
Koepka is trying to become the first player since Peter Thomson won The Open from 1954 to 1956 to win a major in three straight years. Walter Hagen won the PGA four straight times from 1924 to 1927.
As for chasing Johnson, Koepka said: “I love my chances. When I was in this position before, I capitalized. I do not know, he won only one. I play well. We play ‘will see.’ ‘
Score: -6
Position: T-7
The frozen up Bryson must avoid the many bogeys he will continue to make if he is to win his first major championship. He has never finished better than 15th in a major, and this is his best chance, just three behind Johnson. But his numerous birdies for the tournament (17) have been somewhat increased by too many bogeys (11). Nevertheless, DeChambeau has the ability and the confidence to do so.
Score: -6
Position: T-7
No one is to be thanked more than Finau, who continues to knock on the door, whether it be regular events like major championships. A third round 67 gives him another chance, but he should probably go lower than that with so many people in front of him.
Score: -6
Position: T-7
Rose could not fight much on Saturday, arranging for a 70 that kept him within reach of the leaders. The 2013 U.S. Open champion has a lot of experience in major events, and he shot 66 in the first round here. He will need such another to have a chance.
Score: -6
Position: T-7
Just two out of the lead when the third round began, Day could only manage an even-par 70 to fall three behind. Still, he has a chance to approach his second PGA Championship. The Aussie has been on a fun, quiet run of late, placing three consecutive top-10 finishes coming into the PGA
Score: -5
Position: T-13
The surprising leader of the second round, Li hung in beautifully for most of Saturday until his tee shot on the 13th hole appeared to be stuck in a cypress tree, leading to a lost ball and a double-bogey 6. He added two more bogeys and had just one birdie for the round to shoot 73 and drop four counts back. Li’s chances of becoming the first Chinese golfer to win a major championship probably depend on him staying closer to the lead.
Others
Daniel Berger and Tommy Fleetwood are tied for seventh, but three back, and certainly still striking distance. Joel Dahmen, at the age of 32 and playing in just his third major, would win an ultimate underdog; he sits four backs. It’s been a quiet week for Xander Schauffele, who is also just four behind.
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