Scheffler bounces back from late mishap to shoot 66 in Houston

Scottie Scheffler, who is attempting to win three consecutive PGA Tour starts, shot a 4-under 66 on Saturday to be part of a five-way tie for the lead in the Houston Open. Other players tied for the lead include David Skinns, Stephan Jaeger, Thomas Detry, and Alejandro Tosti. Tony Finau, who had a two-shot lead going into the third round, struggled to make birdies but salvaged a 72 to remain in contention, just two shots behind Scheffler and the group at the top.

Scheffler had a rollercoaster round, making a double bogey on a challenging par-3 hole but responding with back-to-back birdies. Despite facing difficult conditions on a blustery day at Memorial Park, he remained focused on controlling what he could and sticking to his game plan. Scheffler, who won the Arnold Palmer Invitational and The Players Championship in his last two starts, understands the challenges of maintaining momentum and staying in contention.

Alejandro Tosti, a PGA Tour rookie, overcame a double bogey early in his round to finish strong and remain in the hunt for his first tour victory. U.S. Amateur champion Nick Dunlap, who turned pro after winning at The American Express in January, struggled to find success until making changes to his approach. Dunlap fired a 63 on Saturday, making seven birdies to put himself in contention heading into the final round alongside Taylor Moore and Akshay Bhatia.

Despite facing challenges on the course, players like Finau remained in the mix with a chance to win on Sunday. Finau struggled with his putting and made mistakes that cost him shots, but he was able to recover and stay within striking distance of the leaders. With high winds creating difficulties for all competitors, the final round of the Houston Open promises to be a tough battle for the title.

Scheffler’s ability to bounce back from adversity and stay focused on his game plan will be key to his chances of winning a third consecutive PGA Tour event. As part of a crowded leaderboard with several players vying for their first tour victory, the final round will test the nerves and skills of all competitors. With experienced players like Finau in the mix and rookies like Tosti looking to make a statement, the Houston Open is shaping up to be an exciting conclusion to a competitive tournament.