SAN DIEGO — Harris English has been on a roll at Torrey Pines earlier than, so the sensation was acquainted when he bought it going late within the third spherical of the Farmers Insurance coverage Open.
If he can stick with it for another spherical, he’ll have an excellent probability to win on considered one of his favourite programs.
English completed his 6-under 66 with three straight birdies Friday, charging right into a one-shot lead over Andrew Novak at 9-under 207 heading into the ultimate spherical.
English capitalized after Torrey Pines’ brutal wind calmed down and the coastal South course returned to picture-perfect climate, making three birdies in 4 holes earlier than the flip and including 4 in his ultimate six holes. The four-time PGA Tour winner put his 131-yard third shot inside 3 ft on the 18th, holing out for the 54-hole lead.
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“I’ve performed this place for a very long time now, and I really feel like I do know the place to overlook it, the place to be aggressive and the place to be affected person,” English mentioned. “I really feel like I picked my spots very well in the present day, and it is good while you’re seeing some putts go in.”
Though English has 9 top-10 finishes up to now two seasons, he hasn’t received since 2021, when he survived an epic eight-hole playoff with Kramer Hickok on the Vacationers Championship.
However he’s greater than comfy at Torrey Pines: He went to a four-way playoff on the Farmers in 2015 earlier than dropping to Jason Day, and he completed third on the U.S. Open held on this San Diego course in 2021.
“Successful in a spot like this shall be large,” English mentioned. “It is considered one of my favourite locations, and the listing of winners right here is fairly unbelievable, so I really like being within the combine.”
Novak additionally shot 66, however he went bogey-free and held the lead till English nudged in entrance due to his large end. South African rookie Aldrich Potgieter was at 7-under 209 after the most recent show of his spectacular energy off the tee, whereas Joel Dahmen, Lanto Griffin, Matti Schmid and Ok.H. Lee had been 4 photographs again of English at a match that has had its share of electrifying final-day rallies.
A big group of gamers needed to end its second rounds Friday morning after ferocious wind compelled an 86-minute delay Thursday and affected scores throughout the board. There was minimal wind Friday, though the breezes are anticipated to kick up once more Saturday.
The Farmers Insurance coverage Open started Wednesday and ends Saturday to keep away from a battle with the NFL’s convention championship video games Sunday.
Potgieter, the promising 20-year-old who leads the match in driving distance, birdied three par-3 holes and eagled the par-4 twelfth. He holed out from 173 yards with an 8 iron, celebrating with a hug from his caddie.
“Par 3s in all probability aren’t my strongest out of the pars, however I used to be hitting the ball so much higher in the present day,” Potgieter mentioned. “Particularly on these holes, I put myself in good spots to gap some putts.”
Potgieter grew to become the youngest winner in Korn Ferry Tour historical past a 12 months in the past. He battled by way of the wind to a 76 on Thursday, however bought higher together with the climate.
So did Novak, who buried a 20-foot birdie putt on the 18th. Novak is chasing his first victory in his fourth season on tour, and he is additionally an enormous fan of Torrey Pines, even when his profession outcomes on the course do not mirror it.
“You need to win, and anytime you need one thing, you would possibly put strain on your self,” Novak mentioned. “There’s going to be nerves [Saturday]. , I’ve gone by way of Q-school. I have been sweating out reduce strains. It is all simply nerves. I have been nervous quite a lot of occasions taking part in golf. It is simply a part of it. You simply should step up and hit the golf shot.”
English and Novak ought to have enjoyable within the ultimate group Saturday: They each dwell on St. Simons Island in Georgia.
Ludvig Åberg, who led after every of the primary two rounds, fell to 4-under 212 after capturing 75 whereas trying visibly ailing throughout his spherical. Aberg might need caught the identical bug affecting a number of gamers within the locker room, and he hit solely eight greens in regulation within the third spherical.
World No. 4 Hideki Matsuyama is at 3-under 213 after capturing 70.
