Justin Thomas equals lowest US PGA Tour
record for 54 holes, Kisner just misses a 59
HONOLULU -- For the second time this week at Waialae Country Club someone came to the final hole with a chance to shoot 59.
This time Kevin Kisner's eagle putt on the par-5 ninth slid just right of the hole and stayed out.
Considering how Kisner played the first two days, he was more than happy to settle for a 60 in Saturday’s third round of the Sony Open in Hawaii.
A day earlier, it took a birdie-par-eagle finish on the same stretch of holes for the 32-year-old just to reach the weekend. After making the cut on the number, he took advantage of prime scoring conditions, making 10 birdies and no bogeys.
Kisner moved into a tie for sixth on 13-under 197 with Russell Knox (66) and Jamie Lovemark (65) with a career-best score but is nine back of the seven-shot leader Justin Thomas, who shot 65 to tie for the lowest 54-hole total in PGA Tour history at 22-under-par 188.
Still, Kisner was more than pleased with the turnaround.
“The first day, I hit it great, and I was minus four strokes in putting, which I can't do with my game,” he said. “So the second day I putted better as the round went on but I hit it worse. So it's kind of one of those deals that I had to make putts.
“And then today I hit it like the first day and putted great.”
Kisner made 12 of 14 putts from inside 10 feet in the third round and added three more from beyond that range, including a 12-footer for birdie on the fifth and another at the par-4 eighth, where he rolled in a downhill 25-footer to give himself a chance going to the last.
Only seven players, including Thomas in the opening round, have shot 59 on the US PGA Tour.
One hole later, Kisner’s 8-iron from 156 yards in the middle of the fairway settled nine feet below the flag, giving him a good chance to add his name to the list.
A few players, including Jordan Spieth, came out to watch.
“When I first looked up, I said dead centre, that's the first thought in my mind to tell you the truth,” Kisner said of the putt. “Those greens get a little grainy like I'm used to at home, and the grain was going right, but I still thought it would go left.
“Can't be that upset. I hit a good putt, hit a good shot and then it was fun coming down the stretch. Almost felt like you were in kind of the heat to win. That was fun.”
Justin Rose, after rounds of 66, 64 and 66, is tied for third place on 196
THIRD-ROUND LEADERBOARD
Par 210 (3x70)
players from USA unless stated otherwise
188 Justin Thomas 59 64 65
195 Zach Johnson 69 61 65
196 Justin Rose (England) 66 64 66, Gary Woodland 64 64 68, Hudson Swafford 62 68 66.
197 Jamie Lovemark 64 68 65, Russell Knox (Scotland) 64 67 66, Kevin Kisner 70 67 70
198 Jordan Spieth 65 67 66
SELECTED SCORE
202 Seamus Power (Ireland) 69 66 67 (T38)
TO VIEW ALL THE SCORES
CLICK HERE
record for 54 holes, Kisner just misses a 59
HONOLULU -- For the second time this week at Waialae Country Club someone came to the final hole with a chance to shoot 59.
This time Kevin Kisner's eagle putt on the par-5 ninth slid just right of the hole and stayed out.
Considering how Kisner played the first two days, he was more than happy to settle for a 60 in Saturday’s third round of the Sony Open in Hawaii.
A day earlier, it took a birdie-par-eagle finish on the same stretch of holes for the 32-year-old just to reach the weekend. After making the cut on the number, he took advantage of prime scoring conditions, making 10 birdies and no bogeys.
Kisner moved into a tie for sixth on 13-under 197 with Russell Knox (66) and Jamie Lovemark (65) with a career-best score but is nine back of the seven-shot leader Justin Thomas, who shot 65 to tie for the lowest 54-hole total in PGA Tour history at 22-under-par 188.
Still, Kisner was more than pleased with the turnaround.
“The first day, I hit it great, and I was minus four strokes in putting, which I can't do with my game,” he said. “So the second day I putted better as the round went on but I hit it worse. So it's kind of one of those deals that I had to make putts.
“And then today I hit it like the first day and putted great.”
Kisner made 12 of 14 putts from inside 10 feet in the third round and added three more from beyond that range, including a 12-footer for birdie on the fifth and another at the par-4 eighth, where he rolled in a downhill 25-footer to give himself a chance going to the last.
Only seven players, including Thomas in the opening round, have shot 59 on the US PGA Tour.
One hole later, Kisner’s 8-iron from 156 yards in the middle of the fairway settled nine feet below the flag, giving him a good chance to add his name to the list.
A few players, including Jordan Spieth, came out to watch.
“When I first looked up, I said dead centre, that's the first thought in my mind to tell you the truth,” Kisner said of the putt. “Those greens get a little grainy like I'm used to at home, and the grain was going right, but I still thought it would go left.
“Can't be that upset. I hit a good putt, hit a good shot and then it was fun coming down the stretch. Almost felt like you were in kind of the heat to win. That was fun.”
Justin Rose, after rounds of 66, 64 and 66, is tied for third place on 196
THIRD-ROUND LEADERBOARD
Par 210 (3x70)
players from USA unless stated otherwise
188 Justin Thomas 59 64 65
195 Zach Johnson 69 61 65
196 Justin Rose (England) 66 64 66, Gary Woodland 64 64 68, Hudson Swafford 62 68 66.
197 Jamie Lovemark 64 68 65, Russell Knox (Scotland) 64 67 66, Kevin Kisner 70 67 70
198 Jordan Spieth 65 67 66
SELECTED SCORE
202 Seamus Power (Ireland) 69 66 67 (T38)
TO VIEW ALL THE SCORES
CLICK HERE
Labels: US PGA TOUR
posted by Colin |
See story on its own page | Sunday, January 15, 2017
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