For a moment, it looked like Daniel Berger would let a lot of players back into contention Saturday at the St. Judge Classic.
The 23-year-old was cruising along the TPC Southwind at 10-under par when he dunked his tee shot at the par three 14th into the water. He took a double-bogey but refused to come undone.
Looking for his first PGA Tour win, Berger bounced back with a three-foot birdie putt at the par five 16th then chipped in from 16 feet at the 17th to get back to 10-under par.
He finished there and is the 54-hole leader at the St. Jude Classic.
He’ll start the final round leading the trio of Phil Mickelson, Steve Stricker and D.A. Points by three. All are at seven-under. Points will be in the final pairing with Berger. He came in early with the day’s best round, a 64.
Mickelson pulled within a shot of Berger with a birdie at the 16 but gave it right back with a bogey at 17.
Stricker is the surprise contender. The 23-year veteran is a part-time player these days.
But it is Berger who has played the best and most consistent golf. The bad swing at 14 was his only mistake of the day.
