Adam Scott birdied two of the last three holes to finish three shots ahead of the field at the EDS Byron Nelson Championship.
His 67 left Kevin Sutherland (67), Bart Bryant (67), Charley Hoffman (68) and Ryan Moore (68) looking up hoping Mr. Scott doesn’t run away and hide on Sunday. “I came here to get in contention and win a golf tournament,” said Scott, who stayed home only a week after the Masters. “I feel like I’ve been playing well this year and haven’t quite done it. So I’m kind of pushing myself a little bit to do that.” Perhaps the tenth ranked golfer in the world has decided having a roomful of potential applies to a lot of guys selling cars or insurance rather than himself, so he’d better play more like a world class player rather than somebody’s ringer scramble partner.
Or maybe he’ll just play like 2006, close with a 71 and meekly finish third. “I’ve got something to prove,” Scott said, recalling 2006. “I’d like to play how I have the last couple of days, just in a nice rhythm.” Doesn’t really sound like a guy willing to settle for a third place finish to me.
Mr. Sutherland played really well for most of the day, until he bogeyed the last two holes. “I hit the ball terrific. The first 14 holes, I really didn’t miss a shot,” Sutherland said. “It would be a little different if I bogeyed the first two holes and birdied the last two holes obviously. … Right now, you kind of stew a little bit on it. But (Sunday), I can’t remember it.” For someone whose only Tour victory came six years ago how easy is it going to be to forget the ending to Saturday when Sunday begins? My sense is this would be something one would need practice at in order to be successful. Perhaps he should "misremember" it instead.
Even more interesting is Sergio Garcia shooting 65, his lowest round of the year, with only 27 putts. Let me say that again, Only 27 putts. Sergio Garcia. The same Sergio Garcia who spit in the cup, switches putters more often than socks, and makes the nickname Stonehands something that should apply to Mr. Whipple. Yes that Sergio Garcia may be in the process of learning how to putt. If that happens, watch out because Mr. Garcia still hits the ball as well as anyone. Witness that today’s 65 included only 2 hit fairways and realize what happens when he drives the ball decently. Stay tuned.