Joel Dahmen has survived a battle with testicular cancer, so leading on the PGA Tour isn’t that big of a deal.
The 31-year-old Dahmen, who has never won on golf’s best tour, shot a 1-under-par 70 and is tied for lead with Jason Dufner and Max Homa after a third-round hampered by two weather delays in the Wells Fargo Championship at Quail Hollow Club www.quailhollowclub.com in Charlotte, N.C.
“I thought I was going to be a lot more nervous in those opening holes and I wasn’t,” said Dahmen (pictured), whose only professional victories came in 2014 on the PGA Tour Canada. “After I made double (bogey on the third hole), then I got nervous because I didn’t want to shoot myself out of this thing.
“I wanted to keep having fun and keep being in this tournament. Geno (Bonnalie), my caddie, did a great job today, just kept it light. … I’ve been through life and death. This is not it.”
Dahmen responded with an 11-foot eagle putt on the seventh hole and followed with an eight-foot birdie putt on the next hole en route to a 54-hole total of 11-under 202.
Homa, from Valencia and Cal, also had a 70, while Dufner, the 2013 PGA champion, salvaged a 71 with two birdies on the back nine.
“All you can ask for is to have a chance,” said Homa, whose only two pro victories came on the Web.com Tour. “I think I did that today. Obviously, we have a long 18 holes to go on a hard golf course, but I’m proud of the round. I like how I played, I like my chances and I like where I’m standing after three days.
“I love this game. It gives me a great career, a great life. I don’t really care about trophies, to be honest. I love competing, but I love money too.”
Pat Perez of San Diego carded a bogey-free 66 and is one stroke back in solo fourth, followed by two-time Wells Fargo champion and fourth-ranked Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland, who totaled 68 and is another shot behind in fifth, and second-ranked Justin Rose, who is three back in sixth after another 68.
Paul Casey of England holed out for eagle from 42 feet on the 14th hole in a 66 that left him four down in a tie for seventh with Seamus Power of Ireland, who finished at 69.
Tenth-ranked Rickie Fowler of Murrieta recorded a 66 and is five shots behind in a tie for ninth with Sergio Garcia of Spain, who had the low round of the day at 65, Doc Redman (67), Vaughn Taylor (68) and Patrick Reed (71).
Defending champion Jason Day of Australia shot 74 and is in a tie for 28th includes Lucas Glover, the 2011 champion at Quail Hollow, who had a 72, while 2017 Wells Fargo champion Brian Harman is tied for 42nd after a 69.
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