Baycurrent Classic R3: Xander Schauffele tees up chance for 10th PGA Tour title
Xander Schauffele is contending to win his first title since lifting The Open Championship at Royal Troon in July 2024.
1 | Max Greyserman | -12 |
1 | Xander Schauffele | -12 |
3 | Nicolas Echavarria | -9 |
3 | Byeong-Hun An | -9 |
3 | Garrick Higgo | -9 |
3 | Si-Woo Kim | -9 |
3 | Michael Thorbjornsen | -9 |
8 | Min-Woo Lee | -8 |
8 | Sahith Theegala | -8 |
Xander Schauffele admitted it was nice to be in contention for the first time this year after he set up a good chance for victory at the Baycurrent Classic in Japan.
Schauffele shares the lead with compatriot Max Greyserman after 54 holes Yokohama Country Club.
The two-time major champion hit six birdies and two bogeys in a third-round 67 to reach 12-under par.
Schauffele, who was a bright spark in an otherwise abject United States Ryder Cup team, has not tasted victory since he won The Open last July at Royal Troon.
He was forced to miss eight weeks of the PGA Tour's season with a rib injury but has shown signs he is returning to his best this week.
"This is the first time I've been in contention all year I believe, so it's nice," he said. "Been playing pretty good golf. The weather's been tricky, so proud of the fight today."
Schauffele said round one was about survival whereas round two was "pretty gettable".
"Today felt like a bit of survival with pockets of a little bit less rain," he added. [It was just a day to] just lean on your caddie pretty hard. I'm sure Austin [Kaiser] wished he had another arm."
Elsewhere, Min Woo Lee, Sahith Theegala and Si Woo Kim are in the top-10.
The Baycurrent Classic, formerly the ZOZO Championship, is part of the PGA Tour's FedEx Cup Fall season.
It offers members the opportunities to retain their full cards and qualify for next year's signature events.
Only the top 100 players at the conclusion of the fall season retain memberships.
The Baycurrent Classic carries a total prize purse of $8m.
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