Brendon Todd might only have a slim lead on the four directly behind him on the leaderboard, but he’s got one thing they don’t, three in fact — a win on the PGA Tour.
Todd shot a 5-under-par 66 to take a one-shot lead after three rounds of the John Deere Classic at TPC Deere Run in Silvis, Ill., on Saturday.
Todd, in search for his fourth win on tour, sits at 16-under 197 heading into Sunday’s final round.
“It’s just head down and make birdies,” Todd said about Sunday. “It’s going to be hard to run away and hide here, but that’s the goal.”
Three players are tied for second one-shot back, including Alex Smalley, who fired a 62 on Saturday to vault 27 spots up the leaderboard. He’s joined by Denny McCarthy (66) and Adam Schenk (67).
Second-round leader Cameron Young shot even-par 71 to drop into a tie for sixth at 13 under, including a double-bogey on the 18th.
Peter Kuest (65) stands solo fifth at 14 under.
Eight of the 13 players within three strokes of the lead seek their first tour victory.
Todd began his round with an eagle on the par-5 second hole, then added three birdies in four holes on the back nine to fortify his spot atop the leaderboard. He saved par on No. 18 to complete his clean card.
“I think that was the excitement on the putt on the last hole,” Todd said. “Kept me bogey-free and kept me in the lead. You always want to be the guy being chased.
Smalley carded 66-70 in his first two rounds but caught fire Saturday, beginning his round birdie-eagle. He posted six more birdies for the round, also turning in a clean card, matching his career low round.
“I feel like a veteran here,” Smalley said. “I’ve only had two years on tour, and this is my third year at this event, so it’s one of the few events where I feel like I know the course decently well.
McCarthy recorded four birdies, an eagle and one bogey for his 66.
“Today it was pretty gusty,” McCarthy said. “Hit a lot of really good shots early on actually and just didn’t really convert on some of the close-in putts, but then made a couple bombs to make up for it, if you will.
“So kind of a weird day on the greens, but all in all I played pretty solid today.”
Seven other players join Young in a tie for sixth at 13 under, just three shots off the lead.
–Field Level Media
