The way Robert Streb is playing this week, you wouldn’t know he has finished in the top 10 only once in 2020 on the PGA Tour.
The 33-year-old Streb posted a bogey-free, 3-under par 67 to take a three-stroke lead over local resident Zach Johnson and Bronson Burgoon to the final round of the RSM Classic on the Seaside course at Sea Island Resort in St. Simons Island, Ga.
“It wasn’t the greatest start, but got out of there with a bunch of pars and tried to find some consistency and it got better,” said Streb, whose only PGA Tour victory came in the 2014 RSM when it was known as the McGladrey Classic.
“Just trying to keep doing what I’m doing. I don’t think the wind’s supposed to blow quite as hard tomorrow, so probably got to make a few birdies. Guessing a few guys will go low and see how we do.”
Streb, who tied for fifth in the Barracuda Championship in August, made birdies on the eighth, 10th and 15th holes to go with 15 pars while recording a 54-hole score of 17-under 195. He opened with scores of 65-63 and made his only bogey of the tournament on the second hole in round one.
Johnson, whose best result in his home event was a tie for seventh two years ago after he tied for eighth the year before, made a 32-foot birdie putt on the last hole to cap a 65, while Burgoon collected five birdies on the back nine in a 67.
“Based on the amount of talent that lives here, based on the resumes that live here and having that course knowledge, it is a little bit surprising; I find it a little bit odd (that a local hasn’t won the RSM),” said Johnson, a two-time major champion who has played on all 11 years of this tournament. “I might have been a little overconfident here and I’ve learned that you still have to go out and execute shots.
“I had good control of my golf ball and had a lot of opportunities, a lot of good looks today. I was able to stay patient and I made a lot of nice two-puts. I have to just remain patient (in the final round) and stick to my keys.”
Emiliano Grillo of Argentina sank a 25-foot eagle putt on the 15th hole and birdied the last two holes for a 65 and is four shots back in solo fourth.
Kevin Kisner, the 2015 RSM champion, carded a bogey-free 66 and is one more down in a tie for fifth with Kyle Stanley, who finished at 68, and Camilo Villegas of Colombia, who wound up at 70.
Andrew Landry shot a bogey-free 65 and is six strokes behind in a tie for eighth with Matthew NeSmith, who had a bogey-free 66, and Patton Kizzire, who made three late birdies to salvage a 70.
Tenth-ranked Tyrell Hatton of England holed his second shot from 110 yards for an eagle on the 16th hole in a 69 and is tied for 31st, while sixth-ranked Webb Simpson, who has lost twice in playoffs at the RSM including last year, is tied for 41st after a 66.
For complete results, visit https://www.pgatour.com/leaderboard.html
