'Texas Boy' Spieth "Leading for Third Day in Hometown"... Kang Sung-hoon 17th

Charles Schwab Challenge Day 3: 4 Under Par, Kokrak 2nd by 1 Stroke, 2019 Champ Berger Tied 34th and Falters

‘Texas Boy’ Jordan Spieth is putting on the 16th hole on the third day of the Charles Schwab Challenge. Fort Worth, Texas, USA = Getty Images / Multibits

[Asia Economy Kim Hyun-jun, Golf Specialist Reporter] "Leading for the third consecutive day."

‘Texas Boy’ Jordan Spieth is soaring in his hometown. On the 30th (Korean time), at Colonial Golf Club near Fort Worth, Texas (Par 70, 7,209 yards), the third day of the PGA Tour Charles Schwab Challenge (total prize money $7.5 million), he posted a 4-under-par round to take a one-stroke lead (15-under-par 195). Jason Kokrak (both from the U.S.) is in second place (14-under-par 196), and Sergio Garcia (Spain) is in third (10-under-par 200), setting up a late chase.

Spieth combined six birdies and two bogeys. He opened the scoring early with a birdie on the first hole (Par 5). After exchanging two birdies and two bogeys, he remained steady, then pulled off three birdies on holes 13, 15, and 17 in the back nine. With a maximum drive of 333 yards, a greens-in-regulation rate of 77.78%, his ‘needle-like iron shots,’ and above all, an average of 1.64 putts per hole with ‘stingy putting’ proved powerful. The atmosphere is set for a match play showdown with Kokrak on the final day.

It is interesting that Spieth is particularly strong on Texas courses. Last month, he entered revival mode by winning the Valero Texas Open. It was his 12th career win after a long gap of 3 years and 9 months since The Open in July 2017, and he also showed major competitiveness with a tie for 3rd at the Masters. However, he finished tied for 30th at the PGA Championship on the 24th, dashing his hopes for a ‘career Grand Slam,’ which has been a source of frustration. He expressed confidence, saying, "I think I have a chance for two wins."

Kokrak is aiming for his second career win following last October’s The CJ Cup. 2019 champion Daniel Berger (U.S.) struggled with a 2-over-par round and dropped to a tie for 34th place (2-under-par 208). He faced difficulties after his second shot on the 7th hole (Par 4) landed in a greenside bunker, resulting in a double bogey. Among the Korean contingent, Kang Sung-hoon (34) lowered his score by 4 strokes to rise to a tie for 17th place (5-under-par 205). An Byeong-hun (30, both from CJ Logistics) remained tied for 34th.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.