Jhonattan Vegas fires 63 to take lead at 3M Open
Two golfers without a victory in several years are in prime positions to end their personal droughts on the PGA Tour.
Venezuela’s Jhonattan Vegas birdied six of the final eight holes for an 8-under-par 63 to surge into the lead after three rounds of the 3M Open at Blaine, Minn., on Saturday.
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“My game is starting to feel good,” Vargas said. “The game I know I can play, it’s kind of coming back.”
Matt Kuchar’s eagle on No. 18 gave him a 63 and a temporary share of first place before Vegas, who’s at 16-under 197, birdied the last hole.
Vegas, who hasn’t won on the PGA Tour in seven years, had three birdies in a four-hole stretch to pull into a share of the lead after No. 14 and kept the momentum going.
“It has been a lot of headaches since that last win,” Vargas said. “… A lot of injuries. Obviously, you have to rely on a lot of those memories (of how to win). You have to dig deep.”
Kuchar, who hasn’t won in more than five years and is aiming for his 10th career victory on the tour, will be contending Sunday in the final round at TPC Twin Cities, sitting one shot back at 15-under 198.
“It has been a hard year, a frustrating year,” Kuchar said. “Golf gets fun when you have a chance on Sundays, and I’m looking forward to having a good time out there.”
Kuchar nearly aced the par-3 17th before his final-hole eagle came with a short chip from in front of the green, with the ball bouncing a couple of times before clanking against the pin and dropping into the cup. Those holes came after a series of long putts for the former Georgia Tech golfer.
“Thankfully, I saw some putts go in,” Kuchar said.
Maverick McNealy also shot 63 to move to 14 under, while Patrick Fishburn (63) and Sahith Theegala (66) share fourth place at 12 under.
It was McNealy’s lowest round of the year.
“For some reason this golf course has been really good to me,” McNealy said.
Canada’s Adam Svensson (66), Matt NeSmith (70) and Australia’s Cam Davis (65) are tied for sixth at 11 under. Among Svensson’s highlights was sinking a shot from a sand trap for a birdie on the par-3 eighth.
If Davis can pull out a victory, he would join four others as multi-time winners on tour this year.
“I’ve got my head in a place that feels good right now,” Davis said. “I just feel like I’m in a position right now where everything is going well, it’s just a matter of continuing to do the things I’m doing.”
Canadian Taylor Pendrith, who led after the second round by two strokes, tumbled with a 2-over 73. He had a five-hole stretch at 5 over, ending with a double-bogey 6 at No. 11, though he made it through the last seven holes at 1 under. He’s tied for ninth at 10 under.
