Russell Knox joint sixth with round to go at Sony Open
HONOLULU – Russell Knox, Florida-based, Inverness-born campaigner on the US PGA Tour, is in joint sixth place with one round to go at the Sony Open at Honolulu, Hawaii.
Knox has had rounds of 69, 65 and 64 for a tally of 198 over the par-70 course. He finished his Saturday round with an eagle 3 at the 18th. Earlier he had birdied the first, second, fourth, ninth and 12th in halves of 32-33. He bogeyed two par-3 holes, the seventh and 11th.
Tom Hoge had never held a 54-hole lead on the US PGA Tour before Saturday but he has held the 36-hole lead – with Tiger Woods.
Hoge’s third round 6-under 64 at Waialae Country Club, after opening 65-65, has him one clear at the top of a stacked leaderboard.
Given Waialae often gives up multiple birdie chances, all 13 players within six shots of the lead would fancy their chances on Sunday.
But Hoge starts in front. One clear of Patton Kizzire and Brian Harman. With Kyle Stanley (two back), Chris Kirk (three back) and Russell Knox and Ollie Schniederjans (four back) the nearest other challengers.
All but Schniederjans are already PGA TOUR winners so he has his work cut out for him.
Hoge will try to learn from his experience with Woods - back at the 2015 Wyndham Championship - where he was unable to keep pace amongst the heat of competition.
Back then he shot a 2-over 72 when paired with Woods to drop to T21 and out of the mix. Woods shot 68 that day to remain in contention. (Ultimately Woods finished T10).
“Looking back, I started the week 130th in the FedExCup so I needed to have a good day, and I didn't play as well as I needed to on the weekend,” Hoge recalled of his round with Woods.
“It's all perspective in professional golf. To go through that environment and to play in that makes it easier for the next time.”
He’s certainly a better player for it now. And one who has had more experience in the clutch.
Like at the Web.com TOUR Championship last year when he needed to make a late charge to even get his US PGA Tour card. He birdied seven of his last 12 holes to make it.
“I started the day somewhere around 30th and I was like one over through seven holes or something. I was looking like it was going to be back to the Web.com,” he said.
“Finally pulled off a few good shots to get things going. I got to the last hole, and I saw that I was probably out if I missed the putt, and I got a 15-footer and made it.
“Events like that kind of go under the radar. I didn't win the tournament, but to pull it off – it is a lot bigger playing for your job next year than winning a tournament sometimes.”
On Sunday, local time, he will try to secure the win and his job for at least another two years
THIRD-ROUND LEADERBOARD
players from USA unless stated otherwise
194 T Hoge 65 65 64.
195 P Kizzire 67 64 64, B Harman 64 63 68.
196 K Stanley 64 67 65.
197 C Kirk 63 67 67
198 R Knox (Sco) 69 64 65, O Schneiderjans 66 65 67
TO VIEW ALL THE SCORES
CLICK HERE
HONOLULU – Russell Knox, Florida-based, Inverness-born campaigner on the US PGA Tour, is in joint sixth place with one round to go at the Sony Open at Honolulu, Hawaii.
Knox has had rounds of 69, 65 and 64 for a tally of 198 over the par-70 course. He finished his Saturday round with an eagle 3 at the 18th. Earlier he had birdied the first, second, fourth, ninth and 12th in halves of 32-33. He bogeyed two par-3 holes, the seventh and 11th.
Tom Hoge had never held a 54-hole lead on the US PGA Tour before Saturday but he has held the 36-hole lead – with Tiger Woods.
Hoge’s third round 6-under 64 at Waialae Country Club, after opening 65-65, has him one clear at the top of a stacked leaderboard.
Given Waialae often gives up multiple birdie chances, all 13 players within six shots of the lead would fancy their chances on Sunday.
But Hoge starts in front. One clear of Patton Kizzire and Brian Harman. With Kyle Stanley (two back), Chris Kirk (three back) and Russell Knox and Ollie Schniederjans (four back) the nearest other challengers.
All but Schniederjans are already PGA TOUR winners so he has his work cut out for him.
Hoge will try to learn from his experience with Woods - back at the 2015 Wyndham Championship - where he was unable to keep pace amongst the heat of competition.
Back then he shot a 2-over 72 when paired with Woods to drop to T21 and out of the mix. Woods shot 68 that day to remain in contention. (Ultimately Woods finished T10).
“Looking back, I started the week 130th in the FedExCup so I needed to have a good day, and I didn't play as well as I needed to on the weekend,” Hoge recalled of his round with Woods.
“It's all perspective in professional golf. To go through that environment and to play in that makes it easier for the next time.”
He’s certainly a better player for it now. And one who has had more experience in the clutch.
Like at the Web.com TOUR Championship last year when he needed to make a late charge to even get his US PGA Tour card. He birdied seven of his last 12 holes to make it.
“I started the day somewhere around 30th and I was like one over through seven holes or something. I was looking like it was going to be back to the Web.com,” he said.
“Finally pulled off a few good shots to get things going. I got to the last hole, and I saw that I was probably out if I missed the putt, and I got a 15-footer and made it.
“Events like that kind of go under the radar. I didn't win the tournament, but to pull it off – it is a lot bigger playing for your job next year than winning a tournament sometimes.”
On Sunday, local time, he will try to secure the win and his job for at least another two years
THIRD-ROUND LEADERBOARD
players from USA unless stated otherwise
194 T Hoge 65 65 64.
195 P Kizzire 67 64 64, B Harman 64 63 68.
196 K Stanley 64 67 65.
197 C Kirk 63 67 67
198 R Knox (Sco) 69 64 65, O Schneiderjans 66 65 67
TO VIEW ALL THE SCORES
CLICK HERE
Labels: US PGA TOUR
posted by Colin |
See story on its own page | Sunday, January 14, 2018
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