Russell Henley didn’t have his best stuff, but remained atop the leaderboard.
The 32-year-old Henley, a three-time winner on the PGA Tour, shot 3-under-par 67 and holds a two-stroke lead over Hideki Matsuyama of Japan heading to the final round of the 57th Sony Open in Hawaii at Waialae Country Club in Honolulu, in the shadow of Diamond Head.
“I hung in there even though it wasn’t as smooth as the first two round,” said Henley, who won the Sony Open in 2013. “I made a couple of loose swings, but was able to make some nice putts to keep things going.
“I’ve had some trouble sleeping on the lead and just want to keep things going because there’s still a little way to go. It’s hard to be on the lead for this long, but I just want to keep my head down and be patient.
“I’ve won before, and I know from experience that I can do it.”
Henley, who has won three times on the PGA Tour but not since he 2017 Shell Houston Open, opened with 62-63 and recorded a 54-hole score of 18-under 192 by making three birdies on the back nine in round three.
Matsuyama, the reigning Masters champion, birdied four of the last seven holes to shoot a bogey-free 63.
“Putting was a strong point today,” Matsuyama, who is a crowd favorite in Hawaii, said through an interpreter. “Even my missed putts found the hole. I was lucky today.
“(The fan support) really helps out. Whenever there is a big crowd like this it just gives you some extra motivation, and I just kind of rode with all their cheers and hopefully tomorrow will be another good day.”
Seamus Power of Ireland birdied three of the last four holes for a bogey-free 65 and is four shots behind in a tie for third with Adam Svensson of Canada, who also had a bogey-free 65, 2019 Sony Open champion Matt Kuchar, who shot 67, and Haotong Li of China, who birdied the last hole for a 68.
Lucas Glover birdied three of the last four holes for a 64 and is five down in a tie for seventh with Kevin Kisner, who had four birdies on the back nine in a 65, while Russell Knox of Scotland birdied the last two holes in a 64 and is one more behind in a tie for ninth with Cam Davis of Australia, who birdied the last hole for a 66.
Defending champion Kevin Na of Diamond Bar, who led after a first-round 61, shot 67 and is in a tie for 11th that includes FedEx Cup points leader Talor Gooch, who birdied the last hole for a 66.
For complete results, visit https://www.pgatour.com/leaderboard.html
