Derek Fathauer posted a second straight 5-under-par 66 and took a one-stroke lead over Jason Bohn to the final round of the OHL Classic at Mayakoba at El Camaleon Golf Club in Playa del Carmen, Mexico.
The 29-year-old Fathauer, whose only pro victory came in the 2014 Web.com Tour Championship, collected four birdies on the last seven holes of the front nine and added one more at No. 13.
“I was just out there making jokes, having fun with my caddie,” said Fathauer, who has never been in the top 10 of a PGA Tour event heading to the final round. “I was just enjoying playing golf.
“Tomorrow, I just have to play my game and keep having fun. I know that there are low rounds out there and that somebody could come along from behind and shoot 10-under, but I have no control over that.”
Bohn, who has won twice on the PGA Tour but not since the 2010 Zurich Classic of New Orleans, had a share of the lead after making a 25-foot eagle putt on the 13th hole, but took his lone bogey at No. 18 and shot 65.
Justin Leonard, who won the 1997 Open Championship at Royal Troon, carded a 67 that included two bogeys on the back nine and was three shots behind in a tie for third with Russell Knox of Scotland, winner of the WGC-HSBC Champions last week who had a 65, Harold Varner III, who totaled 68, and Graeme McDowell of Northern Ireland, the 2010 U.S. Open champion and the third-round leader who came in at 71.
Johnson Wagner had a third straight 67 that left him another stroke back in solo seventh, while Patrick Rodgers of Stanford shot 69 and was five shots back in a tie for eighth with Spencer Levin (68) of Elk Grove, Freddie Jacobson (63) of Sweden, Scott Brown (68), Shawn Stefani (69) and Brice Garnett (69).
Amateur Jon Rahm of Spain and Arizona State finished at 66 and was another stroke behind in a tie for 14th.
