Norway’s Viktor Hovland will take a one-shot lead over Scottie Scheffler into the final round of the Travelers Championship in Connecticut.
World No 1 Scheffler had carded a superb 10-under 60 at TPC River Highlands on Friday and looked on course to stay out in front after four birdies in five holes through the back nine only to drop a shot at the 18th.
Having just a single birdie on front nine at third, Scheffler made a bogey on the 10th. However, that was soon rectified with another birdie at the par three 11th which was followed by a run of three more from the 13th.
Scheffler, though, then failed to land his par putt on the last, finishing with a 67 for 19-under, which allowed Hovland to capitalise.
The Norwegian also recovered from a bogey straight after the turn to sink four birdie on the back nine – including a crucial one on the 18th to make a six-under 64.
Patrick Cantlay rolled in eight birdies, but also two bogeys after the turn, as he made a six-under 64 to lie five shots off the pace in a tie for third. Akshay Bhatia was also on 15 under after his 67, which saw two bogeys on the back nine.
Ireland’s Shane Lowry, among the early afternoon starters, put himself into contention after making four birdies on the back nine to sign for a six-under third round of 64, leaving him in a group at 13 under.
Matt Fitzpatrick recovered from a bogey on the opening hold to make a three-under 67 and was also at 13 under alongside US Open champion Wyndham Clark, who moved up the leaderboard with a 65.
American Eric Cole, in a share of third place overnight, recovered with four late birdies after having been three over through 12 to make a 69 and was also 13 under.
Justin Rose was a shot back at 12 under after his 67, which is also what US PGA champion Aaron Rai made to sit in a group at 10 under.
Alex Fitzpatrick boosted his chances of securing qualification for the Open with a six-under third round, which could have been lower but for a bogey on the fourth.
The 27-year-old, younger brother of Matt, is looking to maintain 20th place in the FedEx Cup standings, which should be enough to earn a place at Birkdale.
“I played really well today. I holed some putts, which was nice,” he said. “I made a putter change after Thursday’s round because I holed nothing, so I was like ‘might as well just try something new’.”
Tommy Fleetwood – who suffered a one-shot defeat to Keegan Bradley at the final hole in last year’s event – saw a couple of bogeys on the back nine prove costly to make level par and sit back at nine under.
PA
