Scheffler bounces back from late double bogey to card 66 in Houston

Scottie Scheffler finished with a 4-under 66 on Saturday to be part of a five-way tie for the lead in the Houston Open. Scheffler is aiming to become the first player since Dustin Johnson in 2017 to win three consecutive PGA Tour starts, putting him in a strong position among players with limited experience in winning on tour. Other contenders at 9-under include David Skinns, Stephan Jaeger, Thomas Detry, and Alejandro Tosti, all aiming for their first PGA Tour victory. U.S. Amateur champion Nick Dunlap is one shot behind, alongside others with one PGA Tour win.

Tony Finau, who held a two-shot lead going into the third round, endured a challenging day and salvaged a 72, remaining two shots behind the leaders. Scheffler joined the chase with four birdies in a five-hole stretch but faced challenges, including a double bogey caused by an unexpected spin back on a par-3 hole. Despite the setback, Scheffler responded with strong shots to finish with back-to-back birdies. Alejandro Tosti, a PGA Tour rookie, overcame a double bogey early in the round and showcased passion and resilience throughout his round.

Nick Dunlap, who became the first amateur in 33 years to win on the PGA Tour in January, continued his strong performance with a 63 on Saturday. He entered Sunday’s final round with a chance to win after a difficult start to his professional career. Taylor Moore and Akshay Bhatia, both at 8-under, are also in contention for the title. Finau struggled to find his rhythm on Saturday, missing key putts and facing challenges like hitting into the water on the 16th hole. However, a chip-in for birdie on the same hole kept him within striking distance of the leaders.

Players faced blustery conditions at Memorial Park, with the leaderboard remaining crowded for much of the day. Scheffler encountered unexpected challenges, including a double bogey due to a ball spinning back into the water on a par-3 hole. However, he responded with resilient play, finishing with birdies on crucial holes to stay in contention for the title. With high winds expected for the final round, Scheffler emphasized the need to focus on his process and control what he can on the course. As the top-ranked player in the world, Scheffler is aiming to continue his winning streak and secure another victory at the Houston Open.