Golf roundup: Brandt Snedeker maintains lead at Safeway Open despite challenging wind

Brandt Snedeker tracks his shot on the second tee at the Silverado Resort and Spa's North Course on Thursday during the first round of the Safeway Open, the PGA Tour's 2018-19 season opener.
Brandt Snedeker tracks his shot on the second tee at the Silverado Resort and Spa's North Course on Thursday during the first round of the Safeway Open, the PGA Tour's 2018-19 season opener.
photo Brandt Snedeker tracks his shot on the second tee at the Silverado Resort and Spa's North Course on Thursday during the first round of the Safeway Open, the PGA Tour's 2018-19 season opener.

NAPA, Calif. - Brandt Snedeker birdied the final three holes on the North Course at Silverado Resort and Spa to take a three-stroke lead into the final round of the Safeway Open.

Snedeker shot a 3-under-par 69 in windy conditions Saturday to get to 16-under 200 overall at the PGA Tour's 2018-19 season opener.

"I'm really proud of the way I stepped up there and hit some quality shots when I needed to," Sneaker said. "I made some birdies and gave me a little bit of cushion for tomorrow, which will be really important because tomorrow's supposed to be tougher than today, so every shot is really important coming down the stretch."

Snedeker won the Wyndham Championship in August, opening with a 59 on the way to the ninth victory of his PGA Tour career.

"It was a tough day. The wind kicked up the last 12 or 13 holes," Snedeker said of Saturday's round. "I just did a great job of staying patient, knowing the last three holes were birdies holes."

Kevin Tway, who was second after a 68, also noted the wind making play tough.

"I kept the ball in play nicely," said Tway, who had a bogey-free round with four birdies. "I made a nice save on 14, and that was my only real bad shot."

Sungjae Im (69) was third at 12 under, with Bill Haas (67) fourth at 11 under.

"I hit some nice quality shots coming down the stretch with the two par 5s," Haas said. "I saw it (the wind) is to supposed to blow and be even more difficult than today (in the final round). But I am very pleased with my back nine; I hit some nice shots."

Tied for fifth at 10 under were Aaron Baddeley (69), Sam Ryder (67), Adam Schenk (70) and Chase Wright (70).

Phil Mickelson, tied for second entering the round, shot a 74 to drop into a tie for 15th at 8 under.

Fred Couples also was 8 under after a 70 in his final regular PGA Tour start. The 59-year-old World Golf Hall of Famer played the first two rounds with Snedeker, shooting a 65 on Friday.

"I played pretty well," said Couples, who eagled the ninth hole Saturday. "On the front, there were a couple of birdie opportunities, but when I made the turn, the wind started to pick up and I hit a couple of good shots on 10 and 11."

Also in the group tied for 15th was Baylor School graduate Luke List (69), who moved up 22 spots.

Former Red Raiders standout Harris English (73) was tied for 66th at 3 under.

Hatton goes for three

ST. ANDREWS, Scotland - England's Tyrrell Hatton is on course to become the first golfer since Tiger Woods 11 years ago to win the same European Tour event three years running.

Hatton shot a 6-under 66 in the third round at St. Andrews, one of three courses being used at the Dunhill Links Championship, to open a one-stroke lead at 14-under 202 overall.

Australia's Marcus Fraser was his nearest challenger after a 67 at Kingsbarns.

Former Dunhill Links winner Stephen Gallacher (66) and Hatton's European Ryder Cup teammate, Tommy Fleetwood (67), were tie for third at 11 under.

Woods completed a hat trick of titles at the WGC-Championship and the WGC-Invitational in 2007.

Nick Faldo is the only Englishman to have previously achieved the feat after winning the Irish Open from 1991 to '93.

"To join that club would be so special," Hatton said. "It was pretty cold this morning, and I was struggling to warm up. We're in a good position going into the final day, and that's all we can ask for."

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