Australian golfer Steven Bowditch intends to keep attacking as he takes a two-shot lead into the final round of the US PGA Tour's Byron Nelson Classic.
Seeking his second US PGA Tour win, Bowditch again took advantage of the wet conditions in flood-stricken Texas, hitting several approach shots to close range on his way to a four-under 65 and 13-under total at the TPC Four Seasons Resort in Irving, Texas on Saturday.
The Novocastrian led from a group of five Americans - Dustin Johnson (62), Scott Pinckney (64), Jonathan Randolph (65), Jimmy Walker (67) and Jon Curran (67) all tied on 11-under.
"Just stick to what you know and stay aggressive," Bowditch said. "Stick to the fairways. It's really wet out there. You can really attack any pin out there with these greens so receptive."
Bowditch led after 54 holes on the way to his Texas Open win last year and can take some comfort in that as he bids for another win in the Lone Star state, where he also resides.
"I don't know about comfort level," he said.
"I guess you draw back on experience but every day is different. You never know what hurdles are coming up. You just know you have a chance on that back stretch."
The wet conditions forced officials to shorten the 14th hole from the second round, changing it from par-4 to par-3.
Bowditch started the third round tied with Walker and Curran.
He made birdies at the par-3 third and 14th, par-4 sixth and 11th and also the par-5 seventh with his only a bogey at the par-4 ninth.
Even though Walker and Curran slid, the challenges came thick and fast with Pinckney and Randolph sharing the lead with Bowditch at times.
Fellow Australian Cameron Percy, who was one shot off the lead heading into the third round finished four shots adrift after a 68.
World No.10 Johnson was in blistering form with his blemish-free seven-under 62.
He went on a birdie blitz early, making birdies at two and three and five and six to get his round going before finishing strong with birdies at 11, 16 and 18.
Hometown hero and US Masters champion Jordan Spieth had a round to forget, shooting a one-under 68 in good scoring conditions to be well back from Bowditch at seven under the card.
Share
