Texan Jordan Spieth continued his sizzling
form by firing a five-under 67 to take a one-shot lead into the final
round of the Shell Houston Open.
The 21-year-old, who has already posted five top-seven
finishes on the US PGA Tour this year, rolled in birdies at the first and
the sixth holes to reach the turn in 34, before firing four more gains
on his back nine to move to the top of the leaderboard.
Third Round leaders
-14 Jordan Spieth (USA) -13 Scott Piercy (USA) -13 Johnson Wagner (USA) -13 Austin Cook (USA) -12 Shawn Stefani (USA) -11 Kelvin Day (Eng) -11 Paul Casey (Eng) -11 Charles Howell III (USA) -11 Russell Henley (USA) -10 Patrick Reed (USA) -10 Keegan Bradley (USA)
Spieth
made his first three-putt in 16 tournaments when missing a six-foot
par-save at the 13th for his only dropped shot of the round, but
responded by holing a monster 40-foot gain at the 16th as he continues
to build momentum ahead of next week's Masters.
On his chances at Augusta, Spieth told Sky Sports 4:
"I believe I'll be able to handle certain situations better having
closed a couple of tournaments out now, I know my tendencies, I know the
golf course a little bit better having played a few more rounds on it. "All
in all, I'd just like to hit the ball the way I'm hitting it now, work
on my putting out there, work on my speed control and see if I can get
in the hunt." Monday qualifier Austin Cook finished with four
successive birdies to card a seven-under 65 to stay one shot off the
pace in only his second PGA Tour event, tied-second alongside
first-round leader Scott Piercy and Johnson Wagner as the trio look to
secure the victory needed to book a late invite to the Masters. Cook made
a double-bogey at the par-five 15th, where he took a penalty stroke
after firing his drive into a hazard, but bounced back with a birdie at
the difficult 17th to stay in the hunt. Shawn Stefani's
three-under 69 keeps him outright fifth, while Englishman Paul Casey is
one of four players a further shot back after posting five birdies in
what he admitted was a "tough" third-round 68.
Compatriot
Kelvin Day extended his fine week with a blemish-free four-under 68 to
also stay within three of the clubhouse lead, joining American duo
Charles Howell III and Russell Henley on 11 under. “I’ve made it look a little easier than it has been,” Day told Sky Sports 4.
“I’ve been pretty relaxed all week. I’m not surprised I’m playing well,
I’ve been playing well for a long time. I’ve been struggling with my
scoring this year but we’ve really started to simplify things this week
and my putting’s got a little hot." Patrick Reed, who is tied for
10th at 10 under, had the shot of the day with a hole-in-one with a
five-iron at the 178-yard 16th, celebrating by racing his caddie in a
sprint across a bridge!
Overnight
leader Andrew Putnam was unable to replicate his second-round birdie
blitz on Saturday, making just one gain in a four-over 76 to go level
with Phil Mickelson, whose up-and-down form returned after finishing
with three bogeys in-a-row.
Watch the conclusion to the Shell Houston Open live on Sunday from 6pm on Sky Sports 4 - your home of golf.
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