With the rise of so many multi-talented young players in the past couple of years, as difficult as it has become to go wire-to-wire in any PGA Tour event, it's become just as difficult to have yesterday's leader remain on top of today's score board.

    Fitting right in with the trend, Brendan Steele, Kevin Na and Joaquin Niemann moved up a total of 28 spots from Friday to assume their new positions as the top three heading into today's finale at the Sony Open in Hawaii. Steele fired a 9-under-par 61 over the receptive Waialae Country Club course in Honolulu to move up six spots and take the lead at 18 under par. Na also shot 61 and moved up 17 spots into a tie for second at 16 under, along with Joaquin Niemann, who shot 7-under 63 and moved up five spots.

    Birdies were flying in round 3, and only three players of the 73 who made the cut shot above the par of 70; Jamie Lovemark (71), Nelson Ledesma (71), and Robert Streb (72). There were three others at 70, and the remaining 67 were in the 60s. There are 16 players within five strokes of the lead. 

    Nick Taylor, the 36-hole leader entering Saturday's play, was only able to muster up a 2-under 68 and dropped into a tie for ninth at 14 under. 

    Seminole Daniel Berger's 64 left him at 14 under and still with a chance, while Gator Billy Horschel's 66 put him at 13 under. Gator Brian Gay shot 68 and is down the list at 6 under. 

     Wit the five-hour time difference between the east and Hawaii, the winner won't be crowned until late tonight.  

       

      

comments powered by Disqus