Schaffler maintains stance, secures lead
Scotty Scheffler Takes Commanding Lead at CJ Cup Byron Nelson
Scotty Scheffler isn't showing any signs of slowing down at his hometown tournament, the CJ Cup Byron Nelson. Despite a slightly less dominant third round, Scheffler clung onto his lead with a 5-under 66, bringing his total to 23 under.
With an eight-shot lead, Scheffler is looking unstoppable. The weather delayed the third round by six hours on Friday, forcing many players to complete their second rounds on Saturday.
Erik van Rooyen, Adam Schenk, and Ricky Castillo are tied for second place at 15 under. Kurt Kitiyama and Jhonattan Vegas follow closely at 14 under.
Scheffler set a Nelson record with a six-shot lead after 36 holes, but his Bogeys on Saturday were a reminder that even the best can have off moments. He was 2 under for the day through 13 holes, just one shot off the PGA Tour's 36-hole scoring record of 124 (18 under). But Scheffler regained his form on the closing stretch, birdieing the 14th and 15th holes.
By the time darkness fell, Scheffler, Castillo, and Sam Stevens had completed their rounds. Scheffler's performance is reminiscent of Rory McIlroy's at the 2011 U.S. Open, where McIlroy also established an eight-shot lead after the third round and ultimately won by the same margin.
The rough proved tricky for some players. Van Rooyen, who was in the rough near the 18th green in two, took four strokes to finish with a bogey, missing an opportunity to tie the day's low round.
Schenk, who also shot a 65, bogeyed the 15th, slowing his momentum. Sam Stevens, who began the day in second place, had a rough patch with four bogeys in five holes and is now in a three-way tie for fourth. Antoine Rozner carded the day's low round with a 63.
Jordan Spieth, another Dallas native and former University of Texas golfer, shot his second consecutive 67 and is at 10 under. Scheffler is poised to become the first Dallas high school golfer to win the Nelson since Scott Verplank in 2007 and could join a select group as only the third wire-to-wire winner in the tournament's history.
Fun Fact: The eight-shot lead that Scheffler holds is the largest 54-hole lead on the PGA Tour since McIlroy in 2011. Will Scheffler join the elite club of wire-to-wire winners or will there be a comeback? Tune in to see the exciting finale!
The forthcoming weather might pose a challenge for the golfers today. Despite hisbrief hiccups, Scheffler's excellent performance in sports like golf, such as his recent birdies on the 14th and 15th holes, suggests he could break golfing records.
