Jacob Bridgeman holds a six-shot lead heading into the final round at the Genesis Invitational after a second straight seven-under par round of 64.
The 26-year-old has never won on the PGA Tour previously, but is in the box seat to do so for the first time in his career at 19-under par – matching the tournament 54-hole record.
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The American made seven birdies and an eagle in his third round masterclass where he led the field in strokes gained approach to the green.
“It was, fun and easy. Kind of the best that the golf world ever gets,” Bridgeman said.
“My swing felt nice and it was fun out there, everyone was cheering, so yeah, it was a good day.”
As for chasing a maiden PGA Tour title, Bridgeman hopes closing out the tournament in the final round will mark the opening of the flood gates.
“I’m a competitor. I haven’t had a ton of chances to win yet in my career, but I’m hoping that I’ll have a chance, a good chance tomorrow all the way till the end,” he said.
“If I can get it done, I’d like to kind of start rolling and get a lot of these.”
LEADERBOARD: All the scores from the Genesis Invitational
Bridgeman’s wedges and irons were dialled in as he gained 6.013 strokes on the field with his approach play.
The highlight of which was his second shot that led to an eagle at the par 5 11th.
With 7-wood in hand from 236 metres out, Bridgeman fired a dart to only 20 centimetres from the pin.
It was a magnificent shot that had tournament host Tiger Woods stunned in the commentary box.
“Not like that. I wish I could hit it like that, my goodness,” Woods said when commentator Jim Nantz asked the 15-time major champion about him hitting shots again in his return from injury.
Bridgeman will be joined in the final group by Masters champion Rory McIlroy, who has come from as many as seven shots back to win in the past.
McIlroy carded a two-under par 69 in the third round and was left “ a little frustrated” by his putting on the back nine.
But the career grand slam winner is not counting himself out claiming a 30th PGA Tour title.
“I mean, I think when you’re six back it’s probably less important, but it’s still, it’s my first final group of the year so that’s a good thing,” McIlroy said.
“Anytime you can get yourself in those groups, your game’s obviously in a decent shape. It will be good to see how I handle it.
“As I said, it’s nice to be able to keep an eye on Jacob and see what’s happening. If he opens the door slightly, hopefully I’ll be right there to take advantage of it.”
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South Africa’s Aldrich Potgieter, who actually spent most of his childhood in Perth, sits third at 12-under after a 65 that was only bettered by Bridgeman’s effort.
The 21-year-old has dropped more than 15 kilograms following a gruelling off season fitness regimen, and appears to be reaping the rewards.
“Yeah, I mean, this is my fifth week in a row and we’re on the weekend and I still feel good, so I think that’s kind of the big thing,” Potgieter said.
“You don’t really feel like — it’s over three months that I kind of lost the weight, so I don’t really feel a big change all of a sudden.
“In the gym you can kind of feel that a little bit. I don’t think I would be in this shape playing five weeks in a row six months ago.”
Australians Adam Scott and Min Woo Lee both fell down the leaderboard in the third round.
Scott is still inside the top ten at 8-under, but a 72 left him 11 shots off the lead.
While after a runner-up finish at Pebble Beach last week, Lee will not be in the mix this time around as a 74 dropped him back to 5-under.
World No.1 Scottie Scheffler is at that same mark after firing a 66 following making the cut on the number.
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