Ireland’s Shane Lowry and England’s David Skinns posted matching 66s and Austin Eckroat carded a 68 to ascend to the top of the leaderboard after three rounds of the Cognizant Classic on Saturday in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.
The trio sits at 13 under for the tournament, three shots ahead of another five golfers tied for fourth. Among that group at 10 under is Jacob Bridgeman, who fired a low round of 65 to vault 32 spots up the leaderboard on moving day.
Bud Cauley, who took a lead into the clubhouse on Friday before the second round was suspended by darkness, shot a 74 on Saturday and dropped into a tie for 11th at 8 under.
Lowry opened fast, carding birdies on three of his first four holes. He would finish with six against one bogey as he attempts to become the event’s first winner from Ireland since Padraig Harrington (2015).
“I started off like really well and got myself right into it and kept going. Hit some great shots when I needed to,” Lowry said. “You know when you go out on this golf course and this tournament that you’re going to face a bit of adversity somewhere, and I did a little bit (Saturday), and I felt like I dealt with it quite well.”
Skinns turned in another clean card and has just two bogeys for the tournament. He’s trying to become the tourney’s first winner from England since Luke Donald in 2006. It’s the first time he’s held a 54-hole co-lead in his career on the PGA Tour.
“I wouldn’t say nerves, I’ve just been waiting a long time to be in this spot,” Skinns said. “It’s more I’m excited to be here. I’m trying to make every moment as good as it can be. I’m just really excited.”
Bridgeman, in his first season on tour, fired his career-best round to play his way into contention. He played bogey-free golf with six birdies.
“I hit it really well,” he said. “I didn’t really take too many risks. Felt like I just played solid and conservative all day and then made some putts towards the end. Pretty pleased with 6 under. The wind is blowing a little bit, so I think it was a good one.”
Russell Henley matched Bridgeman’s 65 for low round of the day, rising 42 spots up the leaderboard to T11 at 8 under.
Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland shot a 72 to fall to T26 at 7 under.
–Field Level Media
