Scott heads Australasians but Scheffler takes control at Quail Hollow
Adam Scott in action during round three – image Darren Carroll PGA of America
Adam Scott has emerged as the leading Australasian after the third round of the PGA Championship at Quail Hollow Golf Club in Charlotte, North Carolina, moving one ahead of Ryan Fox and Cam Davis, courtesy of his 3rd round 69 to be at 4 under and seven shots off the lead held now by Scottie Scheffler.
Playing his 25th PGA Championship since his debut in 2001, Scott has recorded six previous top tens in that time but another round of 69 or better tomorrow might well see him adding yet another top ten and perhaps significantly better.
“I think I played solid,” said Scott. “I feel like I’ve played solid all week. It’s been hard work on the greens. I’ve had a few three-putts, and it feels a bit costly at the moment when it’s so bunched up like this. But overall, my game feels really solid. I just need a day where the putts get rolling in tomorrow.
“I’ve just kind of fought being comfortable all week (with the putter). You’re good for a few holes and then you hit one surprisingly short or something. It just knocks the confidence around a little bit, and it’s those emotions I’m trying to manage the best I can out there.”
Scott currently shares 13th place and although seven shots from Scheffler, he is just four shots out of second place and so if he is able to find a way to put a low round together on day four, then he might well end up well inside the top ten.
At the age of 44, Scott is still getting it out there from the tee with an average of 317 yards in the measurable driving holes to be in 14th place in that regard.
Fox began the day four off the lead and at one stage (though 8 holes) moved within one of a second-round leader, Jhonattan Vegas, who bogeyed his opening two holes. Fox, however, played his next ten holes in 3 over to finish at 3 under for the championship and in a share of 17th place along with Cam Davis and others.
Davis, playing with Scott today, struggled to the turn today in 3 over but then reeled off a closing nine of 4 under 32, including a pitch in for eagle from 60 yards at the par 5 15th to finish at 3 under and in that share of 17th place.
The only other Australasian to make the cut was Queensland’s Elvis Smylie, who found the going tough on day three, but making the cut in his first PGA Tour event in the US was a considerable achievement for the talented 22-year-old.
The tournament now does however appear to be at the mercy of Scottie Scheffler whose round of 65 was the best of the day and moved him from three off the lead at the start of the day to now three ahead and given the manner in which he played today, then a 15th PGA Tour title and a third major appear likely.
Scheffler’s round was highlighted by a brilliant 3 wood to 3 feet at the driveable par 4 14th hole, which he converted for eagle and then proceeded to add three more birdies to finish, playing his final five holes in 5 under par to break clear of the field.
When asked what a third major would mean to him, Scheffler responded; “ It would mean a lot. “You know, these tournaments are very important to us, and you work your whole life to have a chance to win major tournaments, any tournament for that matter, and tomorrow I have a good opportunity to go out there and try and win the golf tournament.
“But it’s going to take another really good round. There’s a lot of great players chasing me on the leaderboard and someone is going to put up a great round and it’s up to me to go out there and have another really good round and finish off the tournament. Looking forward to the challenge.”
