Austria’s Sepp Straka fired an 8-under-par 64 on Saturday to take a one-shot lead over Scottie Scheffler into the final round of the Hero World Challenge in The Bahamas.
Straka blitzed the Albany Golf Course with a bogey-free round that included four birdies and a pair of eagles en route to tying the low round of the tournament with the 64 Cameron Young shot on Friday. He holed out from 52 feet on the par-5 sixth hole and later chipped in from 17 feet on the 15th to reach 17 under for the tournament.
“Just keep doing what I’m doing,” Straka said when asked what he needs to do to win on Sunday. “I think the driver needs to clean up a little bit. Gotten bailed out by one or two good bounces here or there throughout the week. If I can feel good over the driver, I think that will be a pretty nice way to start the day.”
Straka will be paired with the No. 1 player in the world for the second consecutive round on Sunday. Scheffler, who is seeking to become the first player to win the event three consecutive years, shot a 7-under 65 on Saturday that included his own eagle on the third hole.
He was 6 under through seven holes on his round before a bogey on No. 8. Scheffler used four birdies through his first six holes on the back to reach 9 under, but closed with two bogeys over his final three holes — including dropping a shot on the 18th hole for the second time this week.
“Yeah, did a lot of things,” Scheffler said when asked to assess his round. “It’s a dream start. I think going into the day you’re trying to get off to a good start and I did a good job of that today, was able to get rewarded for some nice shots that I hit.
“Did a lot of good stuff today and more of that tomorrow, I think I’ll be in a good spot.”
Sweden’s Alex Noren and Japan’s Hideki Matsuyama are tied for third at 14 under. They are two of seven players in the field who have carded three rounds in the 60s thus far.
“Anything can happen, that’s what I’m looking for,” Noren said. “Scheffler’s obviously a great player and Sepp as well, but just trying to put in a little session to kind of feel even a little bit better for tomorrow.
“You don’t often have the chance not to chase, but I mean, it would be amazing to be in the hunt tomorrow afternoon.
Young, who held a share of the 36-hole lead, scuffled to a 2-under 70 on Saturday that dropped him into a tie for seventh. Akshay Bhatia, who held a share of the lead after each of the first two rounds, tied for the high round of the day with a 74 that dropped him into a tie for 12th
Jordan Spieth, who has not competed since August while recovering from neck and back injuries, is 19th in the 20-player field at 1 under after a 70 on Saturday. The only player behind him is Chris Gotterup at 5 over.
Tournament host Tiger Woods is not playing while recovering from a seventh procedure on his back on Oct. 10.
