Keegan Bradley and Grayson Murray share the lead after a thrilling third round at the Sony Open in Honolulu. The tournament remains wide open, with six players within three shots of the leaders, making for an exciting final round at Waialae.
Bradley finished strong, carding a 7-under 63, which included two birdies on his last two holes. A precise 6-iron shot on the par-3 17th set up a 6-foot birdie putt, while a well-executed tee shot on the closing par-5 18th helped him secure a two-putt birdie. With a total score of 14-under 196, Bradley finds himself tied for the lead.
Murray also had an impressive round, posting a 64 to join Bradley at the top. His highlight came on the 18th hole, where he got up-and-down from a bunker to save par. The 64 puts Murray in a strong position heading into the final round.
Just one shot behind the leaders is Sam Stevens, who fired an impressive 63 to reach a total score of 13-under. Stevens has put himself firmly in the mix for the title, keeping the pressure on the leaders.
Chris Kirk, the winner of last week's The Sentry, remains in contention at 11-under. With a three-shot deficit, Kirk will be hoping for a strong final round to have a chance at completing the Hawaii swing sweep, a feat achieved only by Justin Thomas in 2017 and Ernie Els in 2004.
The leaderboard remains crowded with players eager to make their move. Matthieu Pavon of France, one of the 10 players who earned PGA Tour cards through the European tour points list last year, sits at 11-under alongside Taiga Semikawa of Japan. Semikawa, playing on a sponsor exemption, shares the same name as Tiger Woods and looks to emulate the aggressive style of play that his namesake is known for.
As the final round approaches, players will be focused on making birdies and avoiding costly mistakes. However, the challenging Waialae course demands focus and composure to navigate its various obstacles. Keeping an eye on the leaderboard is crucial, but it's a delicate balance between staying informed and becoming too fixated on the scores.
Bradley acknowledges the volatility of the leaderboard and the need for a low round on Sunday to secure the victory. With so many talented players within striking distance, anything can happen in the final round.
The Sony Open has provided plenty of excitement and quality golf so far, leaving fans eagerly anticipating the climax of this thrilling tournament. Only time will tell who will emerge as the victor and claim the prestigious title.
