Heading: Patton Kizzire Takes Commanding Lead at Procore Championship
NAPA, Calif. – Patton Kizzire overcame erratic play off the tee and a missed putt Saturday to take a four-stroke lead into the final round of the Procore Championship at Silverado.
Kizzire shot a 5-under 67 — with six birdies and a bogey — to reach 18-under 198. The 38-year-old former Auburn player is trying to end a long drought after winning his two PGA Tour titles in Mexico and Hawaii in a two-month span in late 2017 and early 2018.
“The greens were fantastic,” Kizzire said. “They’re rolling really nice. I’m seeing the greens well and putting it on the line. This is a golf course I really enjoy playing.”
David Lipsky, playing in the same group as Kizzire, was second after a 70 in the FedEx Cup Fall series opener. The first-round leader had four birdies and two bogeys.
Patrick Fishburn, in his first year on the tour, made a run at the leaders and got within two shots of Kizzire before ending his round with back-to-back bogeys. Fishburn shot 70, leaving him tied for third at 13 under with Greyson Sigg and Canadian Presidents Cup players Mackenzie Hughes and Corey Conners — who all shot 66.
Kizzire had to scramble much of the afternoon after missing seven fairways off the tee. He made up for it with strong approach shots and a steady putter, remaining atop the leaderboard until he pushed a 5-foot par putt past the hole on No. 10 and took a bogey.
Kizzire got back on track with a 21-foot birdie putt on No. 11, then made a fantastic shot out of a green-side bunker to save par on 16. He birdied the par-3 17th, then scrambled to save par on No. 18 after hitting his approach shot into a bunker.
That left Kizzire in position to break the tournament record at Silverado of 21 under, matched last year by Sahith Theegala.
Lipsky stayed close but dropped back to the pack after back-to-back bogeys on the back nine.
“I really didn’t have my best today,” Lipsky said. “Over the course of a week, days like this happen. Swing just didn’t feel as good as it did the past two days and I just battled through it. I was just trying to play safe.”
Theegala shot 69 on Saturday, leaving him six shots back at 12 under.
Wilson Furr and Ben Silverman also were 12 under. Furr had 64, the best round of the day, and Silverman shot 65.
___
AP golf: https://apnews.com/hub/golf
Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without permission.
In the latest round of the Procore Championship at Silverado, Patton Kizzire displayed exceptional skill and composure, maintaining a four-stroke lead heading into the final round. Despite facing challenges with his tee shots and a missed putt, Kizzire managed to shoot a remarkable 5-under 67, showcasing his expertise on the golf course.
Kizzire’s performance underscored his resilience and determination as he seeks to end a significant winning drought on the PGA Tour. With a mix of birdies and a lone bogey, the former Auburn player demonstrated his mastery of the game, reaching an impressive 18-under 198 total.
Competing alongside Kizzire, David Lipsky secured the second position after a solid round, staying within striking distance of the leader. Meanwhile, newcomers like Patrick Fishburn made a strong push, temporarily challenging Kizzire’s dominance before settling tied for third with other top players.
Despite facing setbacks off the tee, Kizzire showcased his prowess with precise approach shots and a steady putting performance. His ability to recover from difficult situations and make critical shots positioned him as the frontrunner for the championship title.
As the tournament progresses, the competition intensifies, with seasoned players like Theegala and emerging talents like Furr and Silverman vying for a spot at the top. The battle for supremacy promises thrilling moments and a display of exceptional golf skills in the upcoming rounds.
Stay tuned for the final round of the Procore Championship to witness the crowning of a deserving champion amidst intense competition and remarkable displays of skill on the Silverado course. Follow the latest updates and highlights on AP golf for more insights into this exciting golf event.
