Victory on the PGA Tour has been a tease for Justin Thomas.
He’s been knocking on that door, but it has failed to open for him.
The second-year rising star will have a huge opportunity in front of him Sunday at the CIMB Classic.
Thomas is tied for the 54-hole lead with Brendan Steele. Both players are at 20-under par, three shots lower than the winning 72-hole score shot by Ryan Moore here last year.
The Kuala Lumpur Golf Club continues to give up more than its share of birdies to the field. Thomas shot 67, Steele 66 to share that lead. Steele has a lot to prove after his collapse three weeks ago at the Frys.com. He held the 54-hole but a final round 76 scuttled his hopes for a second tour win.
One shot back is the PGA Tour’s favorite runner-up — Kevin Na. Na threw a 64 at them on Saturday and will get yet another chance to prove that he can close a deal.
Another round of 64 was authored by James Hahn, who heads a group of four players who are three back — Brian Harman (66), Hideki Matsuyama (68) and Spencer Levin (68) are there with him.
They’ll all be chasing the lead duo.
Thomas got his share of the lead with a birdie-birdie finish after a bogey at the 16th knocked him back to 18-under par.
“Those two birdies were huge,” Thomas pointed out. He says he’ll draw on his experience of close calls to help him during the final 18. “I feel great,” he said.