Reigning US Newbie champion Nick Dunlap fired a surprising 12-under par 60 to grab a three-stroke lead after Saturday’s third spherical of the PGA Tour American Categorical match.
Dunlap, a 20-year-old sophomore on the College of Alabama, made 10 birdies and an eagle at La Quinta Nation Membership — one among three programs used within the first three rounds — to face on 27-under 189 after 54 holes.
“It was a blast,” Dunlap stated.
“The putter felt so good. The outlet seemed like a funnel… simply form of saved placing photographs collectively and ended up with a fairly good spherical.
Watch each spherical of the PGA Tour LIVE & Unique on Fox Sports activities, accessible on Kayo. New to Kayo? Begin Your Free Trial At the moment >
“I made lots of putts. The putter felt actually good. I don’t assume I missed something that I ought to have made. Drove it properly. Hit the irons actually good. I don’t have any negatives after that spherical. I did every thing fairly properly.”
Compatriot Sam Burns was second on 192 with fellow American Justin Thomas third on 193 and South African Christiaan Bezuidenhout fourth on 195.
American prodigy Dunlap might change into the primary novice golfer to win a US PGA Tour occasion since Phil Mickelson captured the 1991 Northern Telecom Open in Tucson, Arizona.
Dunlap would additionally change into the second-youngest winner of a PGA occasion prior to now 90 years, trailing solely Jordan Spieth’s victory at 19 on the 2013 John Deere Basic.
Dunlap wouldn’t take house the winner’s prize of $1.51 million, which might slide to the runner-up ought to Dunlap be victorious.
However he would change into eligible to take PGA Tour membership at any time within the 2024 PGA marketing campaign and obtain the advantages of any PGA Tour winner, which embody membership by way of the 2026 season, entries into the Masters and PGA Championship and any unplayed “signature” occasions.
Min Woo inside placing distance in Cali | 01:57
“Positively nervous,” Dunlap stated. “Stress is a privilege and I’m lucky to be within the spot I’m in.
“It’s going to be arduous. It’s going to be one thing I haven’t skilled but. “We’ve acquired recreation plan for that golf course and simply form of go on the market and do us, keep within the current and go from there.”
Dunlap already has berths on this yr’s Masters, PGA and British Open after his US Newbie triumph, offered he stays an novice when the occasions are performed.
Dunlap, who fired a 64 on the Nicklaus course and a 65 on the Pete Dye course within the first two rounds, started on the again aspect at La Quinta and reeled off 4 birdies in a row beginning on the par-5 eleventh.
He added two extra at 16 and 17 and one other on the first, had back-to-back birdies on the fourth and fifth after which eagled the par-5 sixth earlier than closing with a closing birdie at 9.
“It’s important to preserve your foot down out right here,” Dunlap stated.
“I feel that form of goes for all {of professional} golf. These guys are actually good and it’s enjoyable to be out right here competing with them.”
Burns fired a 65 on the Pete Dye course whereas two-time main winner Thomas, who additionally performed school golf at Alabama, fired a 61 on the Pete Dye course on Saturday — his 11 birdies together with six in a row from the twelfth by way of seventeenth holes