Tony Finau caught eighth-ranked Jon Rahm of Spain and Henrik Stenson of Sweden atop the leaderboard in the 20th Hero World Challenge on Saturday.
Finau (pictured) bounced back from an early bogey to shoot 5-under-par 67, while Rahm and Stenson both posted 69s in round three at the Albany Resort https://albanybahamas.com in New Providence, Bahamas.
“Guys back in the pack are going to go low and make birdies tomorrow,” said Finau, whose only PGA Tour victory came in the 2016 Puerto Rico Open. “You saw what Rickie (Fowler) shot (61) in the final round last year (to win) on this golf course. I know I have to make birdies tomorrow.”
Finau collected four birdies on the front nine and two more coming home in the third round to catch 36-hole leaders at 13-under 203 after 54 holes.
Stenson held a two-stroke lead after making four birdies on the front, but had two bogeys on the back, while Rahm had four birdies early and two more on the back nine.
“I have a little expectation being tied for lead after three round,” said Stenson, who took five weeks off before this event to heal a left elbow injury. “I’ve been fighting hard to get into this position and will keep doing the same thing tomorrow, and see where it takes me.”
Said Rahm: “I hope to have a hot start like I did on Friday (when he shot 63) and make a few birdies. If the wind isn’t blowing tomorrow, you’re going to have to shoot something in the 60s to win. If you shoot 69 or worse, you have no chance.”
Gary Woodland made three birdies on each nine in a 67 and is two strokes back in fourth, while defending champion and ninth-ranked Rickie of Murrieta also shot 67 and is another shot back in for fifth.
Xander Schauffele of La Jolla and San Diego eagled he third hole in a 66 and is four down in a tie for sixth with third-ranked Dustin Johnson, while eagled the 15th hole and aced the 17th in a 70 in a 70 that left him five back in a tie for eighth with second-ranked Justin Rose of England, who wound up at 68, and eighth-ranked Patrick Reed, who came in at 66.
Tournament host Tiger Woods, who has won his event a record five times, rallied with two late birdies to shoot 72, but is dead last in the 18-player field.
For complete results, visit https://www.pgatour.com/competition/2019/hero-world-challenge/leaderboard.html
