Sports
Charles Schwab Challenge 2020: Xander Schauffele Takes 1-Shot Lead After Round 3
Ronald Martinez/Getty ImagesFor the first time in three days, a new leader has emerged at the Charles Schwab Challenge 2020.Xander Schauffele (-13) now leads the pack after Harold Varner III held on to first place following each of the first two rounds. Varner (-11) dropped six spots Saturday after shooting an even-par 70.Mike McAllister @PGATOUR_mikemcIn…
Ronald Martinez/Getty Images
For the first time in three days, a new leader has emerged at the Charles Schwab Challenge 2020.
Xander Schauffele (-13) now leads the pack after Harold Varner III held on to first place following each of the first two rounds. Varner (-11) dropped six spots Saturday after shooting an even-par 70.
Mike McAllister @PGATOUR_mikemc
In eight previous rounds @CSChallengeFW, Xander Schauffele had just one round under par — a 67 in Rd. 2 a year ago.
His three rounds this week? 65-66-66 to take the lead at 13 under.
The day's biggest movers were Patrick Reed (-10), who jumped up 26 spots into a tie for ninth, and Chesson Hadley (-8), who is tied for 16th and climbed 31 spots after shooting a round of 64 to find himself in a prime position for Sunday's action.
Here's a look at the top of the leaderboard after Round 3:
1. Xander Schauffele (-13)
T2. Gary Woodland (-12)
T2. Justin Thomas (-12)
T2. Branden Grace (-12)
T2. Collin Morikawa (-12)
T2. Jordan Spieth (-12)
T7. Daniel Berger (-11)
T7. Harold Varner III (-11)
T9. Patrick Reed (-10)
T9. Abraham Ancer (-10)
T9. Corey Conners (-10)
T9. Justin Rose (-10)
T9. Rory McIlroy (-10)
T9. Bryson DeChambeau (-10)
Full leaderboard available at PGATour.com
Recap
PGA TOUR @PGATOUR
The Horrible Horseshoe has played to a combined 158 OVER par thru 36 holes this week. 😱
The toughest 3-5 hole stretch on TOUR (non-majors) since 2003 is living up to its name. https://t.co/plchsWH9mx
At one point Saturday, the leaderboard featured a five-way tie for first place between Spieth, Thomas, Woodland, Schauffele and Grace.
Spieth was locked in from the start, notching birdies on two of his first four holes, finishing with four overall with just two bogeys. More than anything else, it was his putting game that kept pushing him up the leaderboard.
PGA TOUR @PGATOUR
From WAY downtown.
@JordanSpieth's putter is heating up. 🔥
#QuickHits https://t.co/DwJ87I53wb
PGA TOUR @PGATOUR
Dialed in. 🎯
@JordanSpieth takes the solo lead @CSChallengeFW.
#QuickHits https://t.co/iUMC3dehfr
If not for his bogey on No. 15, Spieth could've made it through the back nine without dropping a shot and remain tied for first place. Instead he'll enter Sunday one stroke back as he searches for his first tour victory since the The Open in 2017.
Instead it was Schauffele who broke the deadlock, sinking a birdie on No. 18 for his second straight round of 66. Even when he was saving par, Schauffele's game was executed in near-perfect fashion.
PGA TOUR @PGATOUR
Climbing the leaderboard. ⬆️
@XSchauffele goes birdie-birdie and follows up with a great par save. He’s one shot back at -12.
#QuickHits https://t.co/JXWHyTHEZC
GOLFonCBS @GOLFonCBS
Xander Schauffele with the usual chip-in for par ¯_(ツ)_/¯
He's just one shot back at -12. https://t.co/7qfESNZqoF
McIlroy will be another big name to keep an eye on Sunday. After shooting a 63 on Saturday, the Northern Irishman wobbled a bit with a 69 in Round 3, but he is just three strokes off the lead. A win would be No. 19 on tour for McIlroy.
PGA TOUR @PGATOUR
Birdie on No. 1 for @McIlroyRory.
He moves to 1 shot back of the lead early in Round 3 @CSChallengeFW.
#QuickHits https://t.co/bg3IqaLU3f
Varner may not be done yet, either. Saturday was his worst round of the week, and he still managed to break even on the day. If he's able to regain his midweek form, the Ohio native may find himself back in first when it matters most Sunday.
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