Jay Williamson, who is ranked 299th in the world, shot a three-under 67 to take a one-shot lead after the third round of the $6-million dollars PGA Travelers Championship.
Williamson, who entered Saturday’s round tied for the lead with David Toms at eight-under, is at 11-under 199. He holds a one-shot lead over Hunter Mahan, who is alone in second place after signing for a 67.
”Uncharted territory, certainly, but I’m driving the ball well,” Williamson said.
The 39-year-old American started with birdies at the second and third before falling back to the pack with bogeys on his next two holes.
A member of the Nationwide Tour, Williamson regained the lead with a birdie at number seven. He added birdies at the 13th and 15th holes.
”My irons have been good. I’m thinking well, I’m not getting too excited,” Williamson said. ”I didn’t feel great on the first couple of holes [on Saturday], but that’s to be expected, making a birdie or two really helped. We’ll just do it again [on Sunday].”
Mahan, who shot a sizzling 62 in Thursday’s opening round, carded four bogeys and a birdie and will be in the final grouping with Williamson on Sunday.
Toms, who finished tied for fifth at the US Open last week, surged into the lead after three consecutive birdies.
But he stumbled with back-to-back bogeys at the 16th and 17th and shot a 69. He has sole possession of third place at 201.
”I’d like to be more consistent, it’s better for your health,” Toms said.
”I was all over the place early on. I didn’t putt well. I three-putted the first hole. I got the putter working pretty good and then hit a couple of bad shots toward the end of the round that cost me a couple of bogeys. Overall it was a good day.”
Fred Funk shook off a sloppy start and shot a 67 to climb into fourth place, three shots off the lead. The 51-year-old Funk bogeyed three over the first six holes but rallied with five birdies, including three in a row at Nos. 13-15 to move to eight-under 202.
Australia’s Nick O’Hern and Pat Perez are tied at seven-under 203 after each signed for a round of four-under 66.
Defending champion JJ Henry shot a 69 and is at even-par 210. – Sapa-AFP