ST. SIMONS ISLAND, Ga. — Maverick McNealy steadied himself after a rugged begin Saturday with a 4-under 66 and caught up with Vince Whaley in a wild third spherical on the RSM Traditional through which a half-dozen gamers had at the very least a share of the lead.
McNealy appeared as if he may need the lead when he hit wedge on the ultimate gap that rolled simply by the cup and settled 8 ft away. He missed the putt, nonetheless in nice place to go after his first PGA Tour victory.
Whaley, additionally winless on tour, birdied the 18th for a 63 and will likely be taking part in within the last group for the primary time on the PGA Tour. McNealy, who joined him at 14-under 198, additionally shared the 54-hole lead in 2021 on the season opener in Napa, California.
Whaley was taking part in with a way of freedom not everybody has on the last PGA Tour occasion this yr. He was taking part in on a medical extension and fulfilled the required factors in July. The following step was ending within the prime 125 within the FedEx Cup. He secured that final week with a tie for fifth within the Bermuda Championship.
All the pieces else appears like a bonus, and there could possibly be no higher perk than a victory to get into the Masters and PGA Championship, together with a two-year exemption.
“I’ve actually bought nothing to lose and every thing to realize, so I’m simply excited for the chance,” Whaley mentioned.
Alternative abounds going into the ultimate spherical. Daniel Berger shot a 63 and performed his manner into the ultimate group, simply two pictures behind. He was tied with former Sea Island winner Mackenzie Hughes (65), Michael Thorbjornsen (67) and Patrick Fishburn (69).
Berger and Thorbjornsen have been amongst those that arrived at Sea Island outdoors the highest 125, the quantity required to maintain full standing on tour on subsequent yr. Thorbjornsen already has that locked up because the No. 1 participant within the PGA Tour College rating.
Berger wanted an enormous week and he’s delivering, although he says he doesn’t really feel stress. Berger missed 19 months with a again harm that he feared would possibly finish his profession. Now he’s wholesome sufficient to have performed 27 occasions this yr.
Right here’s a take a look at final-round tee occasions and groupings on the Seaside Course on St. Simons Island, Georgia.
“Regardless after I play nicely, I’m going to be superb,” mentioned Berger, who performed within the 2021 Ryder Cup at Whistling Straits. “If you miss that a lot period of time it takes just a little little bit of some time to get again. It’s only a matter of being affected person and ultimately good issues come round.”
Henrik Norlander and Hayden Springer, additionally on the the flawed aspect of No. 125, every shot 63 and have been amongst these tied for twelfth, a place that at present would allow them to transfer into the highest 125.
Joel Dahmen, who needed to make a 5-foot par putt on Friday to make the reduce, shot 70 and was tied for 61st. He’s at No. 124 and his future will depend on an enormous spherical Sunday, together with how Thorbjornsen, Berger, Norlander and Springer fare.
Nearer to the highest, eight gamers have been separated by three pictures. That features Luke Clanton, the Florida State sophomore and No. 1 novice on the earth who already has three top-10 finishes on the PGA Tour and was going after one other one.
