Everyone was chasing Marc Leishman for three rounds and Aaron Wise finally caught the Aussie.
The 21-year-old rookie from Lake Elsinore shot 3-under-par 69 to tie Leishman for the lead heading to the final round of the AT&T Byron Nelson at Trinity Forest Golf Club in Dallas.
“I actually had some expectations today, which is crazy because I’ve only been in this situation once before,” said Wise (pictured), who has won three pro tournaments but none on the PGA Tour, tying for second two weeks ago in the Wells Fargo Championship.
“I think I put a little too much pressure on myself on the front nine and could have played better there, but turned it around on the back and to finish at 3-under is a good score. I’ve played well for three rounds and have a lot of confidence going, which should help me tomorrow. Now that I’ve been there before, I feel like I have a chance tomorrow.”
Wise, the 2016 NCAA champion at Oregon, actually held a one-stroke lead until making a bogey on the last hole after birdies on the previous two, and is even with Leishman at 17-under 196.
Leishman, who has been in the lead since opening with a career-best 61, made his only bogey of the day on the second hole and had birdies on the 14th and 15th holes en route to a 69.
“The conditions were very different today with the wind much stronger, and the course really firmed up,” said the Aussie, who claimed two of his three PGA Tour victories last year. “I got off to a slow start but am happy with the way I fought back.
“I learned a lot about the course and that should help tomorrow. I just have to make putts and I just want to play my best and hope to win.”
Matt Jones of Australia carded a 68 and is four shots back in a tie for third with Kevin Na of Diamond Bar, who finished at 69, while Jimmy Walker wound up at 70 and is another stroke behind in a tie for fifth with Brian Gay, who came in at 72.
J.J. Spaun of Los Angeles and San Diego State totaled 69 and is six down in a tie for seventh with Ryan Blaum (67), Keith Mitchell (69) and Kevin Tway (70).
Defending champion Billy Horschel shot 69 and is in a tie for 29th that includes third-ranked Jordan Spieth, a Dallas native who totaled 71, and ninth-ranked Hideki Matsuyama of Japan, who also finished at 71.
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