Charl Schwartzel’s third round 69 leaves him in the bunch four back heading into the final round of the PGA Championship.
The man they are all chasing at Bellerive Country Club is Brooks Koepka. The powerful American will take a two-shot lead into the final round but he will have a high-class pack trying to chase him down as he goes in search of a second Major of the season.
The two-time defending US Open champion looked like he was going to run away with things at Bellerive when he opened up a five-shot lead on the back nine but bogeys on the 14th and 15th left the door open to the rest of the field.
Koepka’s 66 moved him to 12 under, with 2013 Masters Tournament champion Adam Scott his closest challenger after a 65.
Spaniard Jon Rahm carded a 66 to get to nine under and sit in a tie for third – his best position heading into the final round of a Major – alongside Americans Rickie Fowler and Gary Woodland.
14-time Major winner Tiger Woods was four shots off the lead alongside defending champion Justin Thomas, 2015 winner Jason Day, 2009 Open champion Stewart Cink, 2011 Green Jacket winner Schwartzel and Ireland’s Shane Lowry.
Schwartzel’s front side included two birdies but was left to rue drops at the first and seventh. A late birdie – a four at 17 – saw him climb into contention ahead of what is expected to be a thrilling last 18 holes.
Two back of Schwartzel’s tally is Brandon Stone, who enjoyed an up and down day filled with highlights and bogeys. The Scottish Open champion birdied 5, 7 and 8 but turned for his inward nine level after a number of blemishes.
An eagle on 17 was enough to rectify to back nine drop shots as he settled for a 70.
Branden Grace is -4 through 54 holes after a 68 that included four birdies. The remaining South African, Dylan Frittelli, is in a share of 36th place after a 67 that included five birdies in his final 13 holes on Saturday.
Photo: Andy Lyons/Getty Images
