HOUSTON Tony FinauHis highest score of the week was 68. It felt like he was playing in the cold wind Saturday. He played a 2-under-68, which kept bogeys away from his card. His lead was still 4 shots going into round four of the Houston Open.
Finau was so precise at Memorial Park that he hit all fairways and missed two greens. On a day when the average score for the day was 71.2, only one of the three par-5s had an average score over par.
The most satisfying part was the 10-foot par putt that he made on 18th hole, after a rare miss in a bunker. He kept his distance with his bogey-free round. Ben TaylorFinau tied the 54-hole tournament record in England.
He was at 15 under 195, the exact same score Curtis StrangeHad in 1980.
Finau stated, That was a really great round. I dont think the score says that, but I feel I played better than yesterday. Yesterday I shot 62. Today, however, I thought that 68 was quite impressive considering the conditions.
The only thing that changed was who was chasing him.
Finau held a 4-shot lead in the second round of Saturdays tournament. This was due to storm delays. Patrick Rodgers Alex Noren. Both had a score of 73 to withdraw from contention.
Taylor finished with a 65, which was the low score for the third round. This included a 20-foot birdie putt on hole 13. Taylor stated, Stealing one there is the highlight of this round.
Finau and the Englishman will be in Sundays final group. Justin RoseWith a score of 66, he was tied for third (five shots behind) Wyndham Clark(68) Tyson Alexander (70).
Rose said, Listen Tony, its all up in his hands. You can see everyone stacking behind him — 9-under, 8-under, 7 under and 6 under. Tony might not have a great morning tomorrow, but there are still 20 guys who can win this tournament.
Finau has never felt more confident. For the first time in his career, Finau won back-to-back starts in Minnesota and Detroit. He felt like his game had been shaken off by the Mayakoba win. He is in control.
Rose speaks however from experience.
Everyone was giving the HSBC champions their support Dustin JohnsonIn Shanghai in 2017. He was No. 1 in the world with a 6-shot lead. He was No.1 in the world. Rose won the championship by rallying from 8 shots behind and starting to miss everything.
Rose stated that Tony should play well tomorrow and theres one or two other guys who can go out and have a great round to sort of put pressure on him.
The north wind can make it uncomfortable. Players struggled on Saturdays par-5 16th hole with its peninsula green. It was the third most difficult hole in the first two rounds, with a full field. It was the seventh most difficult hole for the third round, with the players who were good enough to make it to the cut.
Masters champion Scottie SchefflerHe was forced to take double bogey, which ended all his hopes. He hoped to at least keep within a reasonable distance. He had hoped to stay within a few strokes of the No. 1 ranking, but he was unable to do so after a double bogey at the 16th hole and another at the 18th. He is ranked No. 1 in the world.
