Rickie Fowler had the day every golf pro in a major tournament envisions. At Bethpage Black Saturday during the Barclay’s Invitational, he took the lead after round three and finished 9-under 71. Then there is Patrick Reed who leads the first two days of the tournament and placing second with an 8-under 68
“It was a fun day, I know it was tough,” said Fowler at the conclusion of play. “I knew the golf course was going to start to play tough. being later in the afternoon . So it was basically like going 54 holes, no bogeys, around this place I’m happy about that. It’s been very close to having the game be where It is right now. The fun part of the game is making putts.”
He added, “It’s been bad, the past few months. The biggest thing tomorrow, I need to drive the ball well. I didn’t drive it well today as I have the first two days. I hit some really good ones The biggest thing will be putting myself in good position off the tee and it’s going to make things a lot easier from there.”
Adam Scott had the lead and was one shot off the course record going into the clubhouse. Until then, he was going to be the headline of the day. Scott made a 44 putt on the 15th hole, and followed with 10, 11 and 12 which are the most difficult to handle on the course.
“It wasn’t really in the plan to miss on the right side,” he said. “But I did, and you know just wasn’t quite as tight as I was the first two days with my driving. But it still feels good. The swing good and it’s been awhile since I’ve been in the mix.”
Jason Day the defending 2015 champion,finished tied for sixth, with a 5-under 70.
“Felt like I played okay with everything but the driver,” he said. “The putter did save me a lot of strokes. Could have been well in the 80’s today.”
This is the fourth time Fowler has held the 54-hole lead or co-lead in the PGA tour. Should Fowler prevail on Sunday, it would mark the first time he would carry a 54-hole lead to victory. At the Memorial Tournament presented by nationwide in 2012, Fowler finished second after holding the solo third-round lead.
He was also tied for 13th after holding a share of the lead at the 2011 Quicken Loans National. This year, Fowler finished 14 after holding the solo lead at the Wells Fargo Championship and will play Patrick Reed in the final round Sunday.