Patrick Rodgers shares the Stanford school record of 11 victories with Tiger Woods, but he’s never won on the PGA Tour.
The 24-year-old Rodgers (pictured) carded a bogey-free 67 in the third round of the Farmers Insurance Open to tie defending champion Brandt Snedeker for the lead on the South Course at Torrey Pines in La Jolla.
Rodgers, whose best finish on the PGA Tour was second in the 2015 Wells Fargo Championship, and Snedeker were even at 9-under 207.
“The sun came out today and that’s why we come to San Diego,” said Rodgers, whose only pro victory came in the 2015 Pacific Rubiales Colombia Classic on the Web.com Tour. “The conditions were awesome and it was fun to make a few birdies out there.
“I’ve had a few chances (to win) out here and you have to learn from every experience. It’s exciting to have another chance to win tomorrow. Just have to get in a mindset to play my best golf. This is the best part of being on the PGA Tour.”
Snedeker, an eight-time winner on the PGA Tour who also won at Torrey Pines in 2012, shot 70 and tied for the lead with a three-foot birdie putt on the 17th hole.
“I played great all day,” said Snedeker, who captured the 2012 Tour Championship to claim the FedExCup. “I got off to a good start, but I had some putts that lipped out, just didn’t want to go in. That’s just part of golf.
‘”I hung in there and had a great finish, so tomorrow should be a lot of fun.”
Tony Finau birdied four of the last six holes in a 67 and was one shot back in a tie for third with Cheng Tsung Pan of Taiwan, who recorded three late birdies in a third straight 69.
Pat Perez of San Diego birdied the last two holes for a 67 and was two strokes back in a tie for fifth with Marc Leishman of Australia (68), Jonas Blixt of Sweden (69), Stewart Cink (69), Harris English (69), Ollie Schneiderjans (71), Robert Streb (70) and Justin Rose, who struggled to a 73 after leading following each of the first two rounds.
Local favorite Phil Mickelson carded a 68 and was four behind in a tie for 18th.
