Jon Rahm stormed into the lead at the Players Championship in Florida on Saturday, firing an eight-under-par 64 to take a one-shot advantage into the final round as he chases his first win of the year.
The 24-year-old Spanish ace surged into contention after taming TPC Sawgrass’s Stadium Course at Ponte Vedra Beach with a scintillating exhibition of accurate iron shots and solid putting.
Jon Rahm of Spain (Gregory Shamus / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / AFP)
The world number 10 only narrowly missed out on equalling the course record 63 after finishing the third round with a 15-under-par aggregate of 201.
Rahm took sole possession of the lead after overnight leader Rory McIlroy endured a mixed round. The Northern Ireland star recovered from a bogey-bogey start to card a two-under-par 70 to finish the day at 14 under.
England’s Tommy Fleetwood will also start the fourth round one off the pace.
Fleetwood recovered from a double-bogey on the first, and two more bogeys on the front nine, to card a two-under-par 70 for 14 under.
Rahm meanwhile is hoping to claim his first win of the year after a remarkably consistent start to 2019 which has included top-10 finishes in five of six starts.
The Spaniard attributed his success on Saturday to a new-found mental durability.
“For the past year or so, I’ve been working so hard in the mental aspect of my game, trying to keep myself in check a little bit more,” Rahm said after his round.
“That’s been the key this week. I’ve been so balanced, nothing like I used to be, not getting frustrated when I miss shots.
“I’ve been really proud the way I’ve handled. Hopefully tomorrow I can continue it and get a good round.” (Agence France-Presse)