Brandt Snedeker didn’t play as well as he did in the first two rounds, until the end of the day.
The 37-year-old Snedeker birdied the last three holes to shoot 3-under-par 69 and will take a three-stroke lead over Kevin Tway into the final round of the Safeway Open on the North Course at Silverado Resort and Spa (https://www.silveradoresort.com) in Napa.
“The first few holes of the back nine were playing tough and I was just trying to survive by making pars,” said Snedeker, who captured the Wyndham Championship in August for his ninth victory on the PGA Tour. “I knew 16, 17 and 18 were get-able because of the wind conditions and it was nice to make those birdies.
“I know it’s going to be tough tomorrow because it’s supposed to be windy, so it was nice to be able to get that cushion and I have the best chance to win. The wind is supposed to blow, so the greens are going to be firmer.
“I have to play smart, hit the fairways and make some putts if I’m going to win.”
Sneds, who started with rounds of 66 and 65 to lead by three after two rounds, posted a 54-hole score of 16-under 200. He has converted four of his 10 previous leads after three rounds on the circuit into victories.
Tway birdied two of the last three holes for a 68, while Sungjae Im of South Korea is four shots behind after a 69, and Bill Haas made four birdies in the last six holes and is another stroke back in fourth following a 67.
Aaron Baddeley of Australia, who got into the tournament in a Monday qualifier, totaled 69 and is six down in a tie for fifth with Sam Ryder, who had a 67, plus Chase Wright and Adam Schenk, who both finished at 70.
Harold Varner III carded a 68 and is seven behind in a tie for ninth Nate Lashley (70), Troy Merritt (70), Alex Prugh (71), Peter Malnati (71) and Ryan Moore (73).
Fred Couples, 59, playing in what he said might be his last PGA Tour event other than the Masters, put up a 70 and is in a tie for 15th that includes Phil Mickelson, who stumbled to a 74, while two-time defending champion Brendan Steele of Idyllwild and UC Riverside shot 72 and is tied for 35th.
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