ST. SIMONS ISLAND, Ga. — Patrick Rodgers ran off 4 straight birdies late in his spherical Saturday and completed with a par save for a 6-under 64, giving him a share of the lead with Ben Martin within the RSM Traditional and one other likelihood at his first PGA Tour title.
Martin was poised to match that rating till he got here up quick on the 18th inexperienced, chipped to simply inside 5 toes and missed the par putt. He had a 65.
They have been at 14-under 198 within the closing PGA Tour occasion of the yr, and it was removed from a two-man race.
Ten gamers have been inside two photographs of the lead, a bunch that included Sahith Theegala (68), Brian Harman (64) and Harry Higgs, who was atop the leaderboard firstly of the day and had a 25-foot birdie putt on the ultimate gap for a 70.
Cole Hammer, who graduated from Texas in Could and is enjoying on a sponsor exemption, was tied for the lead going into the weekend. He was 4 over by 5 holes and managed a 72. Even so, he was solely 4 photographs behind.
Rodgers hit the reset button after final season led to August, organising a plan with swing coach Jeff Smith that entails making incremental enhancements. It seems to be working. He tied for third in Bermuda three weeks in the past and has been a gradual presence throughout the fall occasions.
The highest-ranked newbie on the planet his closing yr at Stanford, Rodgers is making his 226th begin on the PGA Tour and nonetheless trying to find his first win.
It did not take lengthy to get within the combine. He holed a 25-foot birdie putt on the thirteenth gap, stuffed his method to six toes on the robust 14th, made an 8-foot birdie on the par-5 fifteenth and capped off his run with a 30-foot birdie putt on the sixteenth.
“I really feel like I put collectively a tiny offseason with my coach, Jeff Smith. We actually put a superb plan collectively,” Rodgers stated. “I have been feeling extra comfy. It is a arduous sport, and it is at all times good to see arduous work repay.”
Eight gamers close to the highest of the leaderboard have but to win on the PGA Tour.
Theegala actually had his probabilities throughout his rookie yr that noticed him attain the Tour Championship. Taylor Pendrith (65) received loads of expertise enjoying his first Presidents Cup in September. Taylor Montgomery has had a robust begin to his rookie season with 5 finishes within the prime 15. He already is as much as No. 65 on the planet.
Martin’s lone PGA Tour victory was eight years in the past in Las Vegas.
Adam Svensson of Canada made the largest transfer with a 62, together with an eagle on the par-5 fifteenth gap, placing him one shot behind together with Theegala and Andrew Putnam, who additionally shared the 36-hole lead. He saved par from a bunker on the ultimate gap for a 69.
