Scottie Scheffler is making a strong bid for a historic third consecutive win at the Phoenix Open this year. Despite a significant mistake on the 18th hole, Scheffler managed to shoot an impressive 5-under 66 during the weather-delayed third round.
Starting the morning five shots behind at 8 under, Scheffler quickly climbed up the leaderboard during the resumption of his third round. He went on a remarkable streak of five consecutive birdies, starting from the 9th hole, to pull into a three-way tie at 13 under.
Scheffler's exceptional performance puts him just two shots behind the current leaders, Sahith Theegala and Nick Taylor. Both Theegala and Taylor showed resilience in their own right, with Taylor saving par on the difficult 18th hole after being forced to lay up. Taylor ultimately shot a solid 68. Meanwhile, Theegala matched Taylor's two-putt birdie on the short par-4 17th to tie for the lead, finishing with a 69.
Charley Hoffman also had an impressive run, closing out his round with four consecutive birdies to card a superb 64. Hoffman is now tied with Andrew Novak at 14 under, adding further excitement to the final round.
The Phoenix Open has faced its fair share of challenges this year due to inclement weather. A long delay during the first round pushed the tournament into Friday, and subsequent weather issues led to further disruptions, including frost delays for three consecutive days.
The unpredictable weather has forced players and organizers to navigate through a packed schedule. The AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, which took place the previous week, also had to be cut short due to adverse weather conditions.
Though frustrations may have started to surface amongst some players, with heated interactions between Zach Johnson, Tom Hoge, and fans, the competition remains intense.
Scheffler, in particular, is aiming to make history by becoming the first player since 2011 to win the same PGA Tour event three years in a row. Steve Stricker previously accomplished this feat at the John Deere Classic.
With the final round already underway as players were finishing their third rounds, the Phoenix Open is pushing to avoid a Monday finish. The unpredictable nature of the tournament has added to the excitement, creating a challenging yet thrilling competition for both players and spectators alike.
As the Phoenix Open heads into its final day, all eyes will be on Scottie Scheffler as he aims to secure a remarkable three-peat victory. The leaderboard remains tightly packed, promising an exhilarating finish to this unique and eventful tournament.
