DETROIT — Tony FinauTo match, Saturdays 7-under 65 was shot Taylor Pendrith21-under195 with one round left in Rocket Mortgage Classic
Finau, the Minnesota 3M Open winner last Wednesday, is attempting to become the first golfer ever to win consecutive regular-season events in three years.
Pendrith, who was one stroke ahead at the start of the round, birdied four holes in the last five holes for a score of 66.
Front-runner for Rookie of Year Cameron Young(65) was 4 strokes behind. He tied the Detroit Golf Club record on Friday with a score of 63.
Stephan JaegerAfter a 65, it was 5 shots back.
Patrick Cantlay, No. After a 66, he was 4th in the world rankings. He was 6 shots behind.
Pendrith was second rounds leader after setting the 36-hole tournament record at 15-under, 129.
Canadas PGA Tour rookie at 31 years old was unable to play for nearly four months due to a broken rib.
The Detroit duel was like match play, with Pendrith & Finau taking turns pulling and falling into tie and moving on.
Pendrith opened with a 6-foot birdie putt to lead by two shots. Finau pulled within one stroke on the next hole with a 20-foot chip from greenside rough for birdie.
Stay hot, Tony! A fan shouted.
Pendrith, a Canadian celebrity, looked calm as he walked up to the third tee.
Finau took the lead with a 15 foot putt at No. 3. Pendrith then missed an opportunity to stay ahead with his 3-foot putt.
Pendrith was in the No. 1 spot due to his errant tee shot left on the par-5, 631-yard fourth. Pendrith was left behind by several tall trees on his way to the green from the rough. He hit a shot from 104 yards to the hole. His approach was within 16 feet. He made the putt to regain his 1-stroke lead.
Pendrith led by 2 strokes at No. 6. Pendrith made a 7-foot putt which curled in the right.
After making birdies on Nos. 7 and 8, Finau finished at 18 under Pendrith. 7 and 8, while Pendrith missed a 1-foot shot and made bogey at the ninth hole.
Pendrith was again behind a tree at No. 13 – Pendrith was forced to chip back onto No.
Finau was able to take a 2-shot cushion and hit an 8-foot birdie shot at 14.
Pendrith, a twice winner on PGA Tour Canada was able to bounce back from his second bogey and make three straight birdies to tie the score with two holes to go.
Finau won at 17 by scoring a birdie. Pendrith tied the score with a birdie at 54.
Finau will be the first regular-season winner since 1993 if he can outlast the competition and win Sundays event. Brendon ToddIn 2019.