AVONDALE, La. — Andrew Novak and Ben Griffin shot an 11-under 61 in better-ball play Saturday to take a three-stroke lead into the ultimate spherical of the Zurich Basic, the PGA Tour’s solely group occasion.
Every chasing their first PGA Tour title, Novak and Griffin took a 27-under 189 complete into the alternate-shot finale Sunday at TPC of Louisiana.
“That is what we each apply for and play for on the PGA Tour,” Griffin mentioned about profitable. “We wish to compete in opposition to the very best gamers and wish to finally take a look at ourselves and attempt to get it achieved.”
Novak is coming off a playoff loss final week to Justin Thomas within the RBC Heritage, his second straight top-three end.
“Three photographs may be gone fairly fast,” Novak saod. “It is good to have it, however we’ll must nonetheless play properly.”
Masters champion Rory McIlroy and fellow Irishman Shane Lowry, the defending champions, have been 5 strokes again after a 61. McIlroy returned from a climate delay of about 90 minutes to make a 30-foot eagle putt on the par-5 18th.
“The very last thing on my thoughts through the delay was the putt and, then as soon as I received again on the market, I kind of focused on it and made certain I did what I wanted to do,” McIlroy mentioned. “Only a bonus for it to go in.”
Jake Knapp and Frankie Capan III had a 60 to hitch the Japanese duo of Ryo Hisatsune and Takumi Kanaya at 24 underneath. Hisatsune and Kanaya shot 61.
Isaiah Salinda and Kevin Velo, the PGA Tour rookies who led after every of the primary two days, had a 66 to drop right into a tie for fourth at 23 underneath. They set the match better-ball file Thursday with a 58.
Danish an identical twins Nicolai and Rasmus Holgaard additionally have been 23 underneath. They shot 64.
