Kevin Na Leads Charles Schwab Challenge After 54 Holes

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Kevin Na
Kevin Na lines up a putt on the 11th green during the second round of the Charles Schwab Challenge at Colonial CC on May 24, 2019 in Fort Worth, TX. Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images

Kevin Na carded a day-three 69 at Colonial Country Club and will enter Sunday’s finale of the Charles Schwab Challenge with a two-shot lead.

Aside from one mishap on the par-5 11th hole, (double-bogey), the 35-year old Nevada resident was extremely solid during his third round at the iconic Forth Worth golf course, adding 14 pars and three birdies to reach 9-under par.

“It was playing difficult out there. The breeze was pretty high and it gusted a lot, so on and off, even on short putts, it can be difficult,” said Na.

“I hit a lot of good shots, but then when I didn’t, when I needed to get up and down and save par, I was able to do so by making some good putts.”

Tony Finau (71) held sole possession of second-place for much of the day, until a final-hole bogey dropped the Utah native back to 7-under par, alongside C.T. Pan (68), Jim Furyk (68), MacKenzie Hughes (65), and hometown favorite Jordan Spieth (68).

This marks the third straight week that Speith will enter Sunday’s final round inside the top 12.

“This is my third week in a row, and I feel like I’m progressing nicely. I feel like I’ve been playing well, so less is more,” said Spieth, who will be paired with C.T. Pan on Sunday.

“I didn’t go to the range after yesterday. I won’t do anything after today. It’s more important for me to save energy at this point, given I’ve got a — could potentially feel like a long day tomorrow in the thick of things, and then go to a place next week that if you’re putting well can serve you really well.”

Charley Hoffman carded the day’s best round, a 7-under 63, to move into a tie for seventh-place with Austin Cook (65) at 6 under par.

“Yeah, got off to a good start. Obviously birdieing first two holes is always the way you want to start,” said Hoffman.

“Then made some good crucial par putts, some good 2-putt in the middle of the round on 9 and 10.

“Made a couple errant swings on 12 and was able to make birdie with it, and cruise on in from there. Very happy with the way I played.”

Another Texan, Ryan Palmer, shot a 68 – his third-straight sub-70 round – to move into a tie for ninth alongside Nick Watney (70) at 5-under par.

Charles Schwab Challenge

Leaderboard: Top 5

Pos-Player-To Par (Rd 3)
1. Kevin Na -9 (-1)
2. Tony Finau -7 (+1)
2. MacKenzie Hughes -7 (-5)
2. Jordan Spieth -7 (-2)
2. Jim Furyk -7 (-2)
2. C.T. Pan -7 (-2)

Stat Leaders

Driving: Cameron Champ (332.0 yards)
Fairways: Brian Harman (31/42, 73.8%)
Greens: Kevin Na (42/54, 77.8%)
Putts/GIR: Jordan Spieth (1.531)
Birdies: Jordan Spieth (16)
Pars: Billy Horschel (44)

Video: Round-3 Highlights

A look at the highlights from Colonial Country Club during the third round of the Charles Schwab Challenge.

Quotable

“Yeah, there was a fan distraction let’s call it. Kenny being Kenny he went off on her. He was screaming at her. And he has every right to do so. I felt bad for the lady.

“I was upset at first and then I saw the lady’s face and I was like, Oh, my God. She’s going to pee in her pants. So I said, Come on Kenny. Let’s forget about it. Let’s just go.

“Next hole I saved a nice par and bounce-back birdie. It was nice that that didn’t affect me the rest of the way.”
Kevin Na

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