INZAI CITY, Japan — American Rickie Fowler shot 66, four under on Saturday, and is the sole No. 1 spot in the Zozo Golf Championship, a PGA Tour tournament played in Japan.
In doing so, Fowler put himself in good stead to win his first PGA tournament since February 2019, when he won the Waste Management Open in Phoenix.
After 54 holes, Fowler has a cumulative score of 196, 14 under par. He holds a one-hit forward over compatriot Keegan Bradley, who also shot 66 on Saturday.
American Andrew Putnam, who shared the top spot with Fowler after the second run, slipped to third, two strokes behind the leader after his round of 68 on Saturday.
No less than 10 other golfers are three to five strokes behind the leader.
Author of a second consecutive round of 68, Mackenzie Hughes remains the best Canadian with a cumulative record of 206.
He is tied for 31st with three other golfers including the Japanese Hideki Matsuyama, defending champion and local favorite. Matsuyama shot 66 on Saturday, his best score of the weekend.
Ontario’s Corey Conners shot 67 for a total of 207 after 54 holes.
Ranking after the 3rd round (par 70):
1.Rickie Fowler (USA) -14 (67-63-66)
2. Keegan Bradley (USA) -13 (66-65-66)
3.Andrew Putnam (USA) -12 (68-62-68)
4. Viktor Hovland (NOR) -11 (69-66-64)
5.Hayden Buckley (USA) -10 (68-68-64)
Cameron Champ (USA) -10 (69-67-64)
Maverick McNealy (USA) -10 (67-69-64)
8.Joel Dahmen (USA)-9 (68-67-66)
Ryo Hisatsune (JPN) -9 (69-67-65)
Tom Hoge (USA) -9 (70-66-65)
Taylor Moore (USA) -9 (70-66-65)
Matthew NeSmith (USA) -9 (66-68-67)
Sahith Theegala (USA) -9 (71-67-63)
14.Beau Hossler (USA) -8 (68-68-66)
Keita Nakajima (JPN) -8 (70-63-69)
Sam Ryder (USA) -8 (66-68-68)
17. Emiliano Grillo (ARG) -7 (70-68-65)
Luke List (USA) -7 (69-66-68)
Adam Schenk (US) -7 (65-70-68)
Brandon Wu (USA) -7 (68-69-66)
