American Patrick Rodgers is “excited” to be taking a one-shot lead into Sunday’s last spherical of the Genesis Invitational as he makes an attempt to win his first PGA Tour occasion in 286 begins.
Rodgers, who has been on this place 4 instances earlier than, shot a four-under-par 68 to enhance to eight underneath at Torrey Pines in San Diego.
He’s one away from compatriot Denny McCarthy, who shot a 71 and can be chasing a maiden victory in his 194th occasion.
Rodgers, who bogeyed the par-five 18th after dumping a 91-yard wedge into water, has been a runner-up 4 instances, together with twice shedding out in play-offs.
“At any time when my title is talked about, that is the very first thing that everyone says, so it is one thing that I’ve to cope with,” stated the 31-year-old about his winless streak.
“I’ve struggled with it for a very long time, however I really feel like I am viewing my profession from a unique vantage level now and I am excited concerning the alternative to cross that end line on Sunday.”
World primary Scottie Scheffler and Northern Eire’s Rory McIlroy slipped down the leaderboard with rounds of four-over 76 and two-over 74 respectively to lie 5 photographs behind Rodgers.
Scheffler carded his worst rating because the last spherical of the 2022 Gamers Championship, the place he additionally had a 76.
However Sweden’s Ludvig Aberg, who stays in contact with the leaders because of the primary hole-in-one of the event.
The 25-year-old, who performed on the 2023 Ryder Cup, struck a pitching a wedge on the 140-yard third gap, with the ball touchdown only a few ft previous the pin and spinning again into the outlet.
“It was a extremely cool second,” stated the Swede, who shot a 70 and is on six underneath. “I’ve by no means made a hole-in-one in event play earlier than.”
It was the sixth ace of the yr on the tour – all by worldwide gamers: Sami Valimaki of Finland, Kris Ventura of Norway, McIlroy, Eire’s Shane Lowry, Emiliano Grillo of Argentina and Aberg.
