Author of the best card of the day Shane Lowry (photo) has completely relaunched himself in the race for the title. He is four lengths behind new leader Chris Kirk. The last round promises to be extremely tight in Florida this Sunday.
Even if the charts of the players at the top of the ranking of the Honda Classic do not have the prestige of those of last week in Los Angeles, the outcome of this “unboosted” tournament promises to be just as thrilling!
With 12 players in six shots and a stunning end to the course, very clever who can predict the name of the one who will succeed the winners at Sepp Straka. The Austrian title holder is still among the contenders for his own succession. He is 8th, 6 moves behind the new leader.
But with two birdies signed at the very end of the game and a solid 66 (-4) at stake, Chris Kirk has a mini-advantage.
He managed to extricate himself from the pack and dreams of reconnecting with success on the PGA Tour which has been fleeing him for more than 7 years.
2,835 days since his last win on TOUR.
54-hole leader @Chris_Kirk_ looks to get back in the winner’s circle tomorrow @TheHondaClassic. pic.twitter.com/0KDXchd2wr
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) February 25, 2023
The last of his four career victories on the great American circuit dates back to 2015 (he won in 2020 on the Korn Ferry Tour) and is therefore 2 moves ahead of Eric Cole his first pursuer. This 34-year-old rookie also returned a card of 66 (-4) in the third round.
Justin Suh still in the game
Leader for the first time in his career of a tournament of the PGA Tour after a good 2nd lap, Justin Suh had a little more trouble this Saturday.
Forced to settle for a card in par, the 25-year-old Californian fell two places.
Always very comfortable from the start (12 fairways out of 14) and in his attacks on the greens (15 greens in regulation out of 18), the player of the year on the Korn Ferry Tour last year did not experience the same success on the greens with 33 putts.
Despite this 3rd round “inside”, he was nevertheless the author of one of the exploits of the day when he returned his shot from 137 meters for eagle at 12.
GOLF SHOT.
Justin Suh holes out for eagle to get within one of the lead @TheHondaClassic ???? pic.twitter.com/suVloopzxe
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) February 25, 2023
Shane Lowry ready to spring from his box
The big-hearted American remains in the race three lengths from the winner. is only 3 strokes behind and will start in the penultimate game with the Irishman Shane Lowry.
The winner of the Claret Jug in 2019 at Portrush signed an excellent 65 (-5) with 7 birdies and two bogeys conceded in the last third of the course.
This best card of the day allows him to climb to fourth place with the English Ben Taylor (69).
Lowry, invigorated by his recent change of caddy can therefore believe in a first career victory in a regular tournament on the American circuit, since he is only four shots behind the leader.
Making moves on Moving Day ????@ShaneLowryGolf is T3 in the clubhouse @TheHondaClassic. pic.twitter.com/pRDiHQcXuz
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) February 25, 2023
Adrian Meronk and Min Woo Lee on waivers
In search of a good result to appear in the world top 50 synonymous with a place at the start of the Players in 15 days at TPC Sawgrass, Adrian Meronk (53rd worldwide) and Min Woo Lee (47th in the world) have seen their chances reduced.
The Polish 20th provisional after his 70th on Saturday, and who needs a top 8 at least, will have 3 shots to fill.
For the Australian, author of a card of 73, the task looks even more difficult. The winner of the Scottish Open 2021 has lost 36 places and is 58th.
His goal of finishing in the top 20 to be certain of being invited to Ponte Vedra Beach is slipping away.
The video summary of the 3rd round
Le leaderboard
They missed the cut
©Sam Greenwood/Getty Images/AFP
