CROMWELL, Conn. — Xander Schauffele was prophetic.
After Schauffele posted his second consecutive 63 on Friday on the Vacationers Championship to get to 14-under and take a five-shot lead into the weekend, he mentioned: “This can be a course that’s giving up some birdies, and for those who’re main the pack and also you get type of snug individuals are going to hunt you down.’’
Properly, the hunt continued in earnest Saturday within the third spherical, with a flurry of gamers making spirited runs at Schauffele at TPC River Highlands.
“I knew it wasn’t going to be straightforward to guard a lead, particularly when it’s 5 pictures and it’s straightforward to get snug,’’ Schauffele mentioned after capturing 67 within the third spherical. “It’s straightforward to hit it to 30 toes out right here with a wedge, however that’s simply not going to be sufficient to win. So, I acquired to make a number of extra birdies [Sunday].’’
Schauffele acquired to 17-under, however watched his five-shot lead soften to only one shot within the searing Connecticut warmth.
His major pursuer was Patrick Cantlay, who was Schauffele’s taking part in accomplice after they received the Zurich Traditional collectively within the spring, and his taking part in accomplice on Ryder Cup and Presidents Cup groups.
Cantlay shot the day’s low spherical of 63 to get to 16-under and trails Schauffele by a mere shot. So, the 2 might be paired collectively — however pitted towards one another this time — within the remaining group on Sunday.
“It will likely be enjoyable,’’ Schauffele mentioned. “I’ve been trying ahead to taking part in with Pat in a remaining spherical. We don’t get paired collectively fairly often in common tournaments, solely in these workforce ones. So, there’s a sure degree of consolation we've taking part in with one another and hopefully that pays off and hopefully we are able to make a number of birdies.’’
Schauffele’s evaluation of Cantlay’s recreation: “He’s surgical, does all of the issues rather well, very regular. He simply doesn’t make many errors, so I’m going to should make extra birdies.’’
Cantlay on Schauffele’s recreation: “He’s very constant. I believe you noticed that [Saturday]. Even when he hit a unfastened shot … he didn’t let that have an effect on him, didn’t make too many errors. He closed with a number of birdies [on Nos. 16 and 17]. So, I anticipate an awesome problem on the market.’’
Sahith Theegala, who posted 64 to get to 14-under, is three pictures again. Kevin Kisner shot 66 and is 13-under and 4 again. Martin Laird shot 66 to get to 12-under, together with Okay.H. Lee.
The shocker of day — and the match — has been Michael Thorbjornsen, a 20-year-old beginner from Wellesley, Mass., who’s 11-under and 6 pictures again after capturing 66 on Saturday. He’s tied with Webb Simpson, J.T. Poston and Nick Hardy.
Chris Gotterup, the Little Silver, N.J. native, shot an even-par 70 Saturday and stands at 4-under, tied for forty second getting into the ultimate spherical.
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