We’re 18 holes away from crowning the champion of the FedEx St. Jude Championship, the first of three events of the 2021-22 FedEx Cup Playoffs, and it’s anyone’s to win.
After opening the tournament with a 1-over 71, Will Zalatoris has charged over the last two days to get near the top of the board. He’s made just one bogey in his last 36 holes and will tee off Sunday two back.
Cameron Smith continues to play well, firing a third-round 3-under 67 and is once again in position to win. If he does, it’ll be another high-level victory for the Australian.
If you missed Saturday’s action, here are five takeaways from the third round of the FedEx St. Jude Championship.
FedEx St. Jude Championship: PGA Tour Live on ESPN+ | Leaderboard
Spaun leads, but big dogs lurking
J. J. Spaun hits from the fairway during the FedEx St. Jude Championship at TPC Southwind in Memphis, Tenn., Saturday, Aug. 13, 2022.
J.J. Spaun remains the leader at 13 under, with a clutch birdie on the 17th to help him take advantage. He won the Valero Texas Open earlier this year and would move to No. 2 in the FedEx Cup standings with a win.
Sepp Straka, who missed six straight cuts heading into the FedEx St. Jude Championship, is one shot back at 12 under.
However, plenty of big names sit close behind and are ready to pounce.
Smith, the 2022 Champion Golfer of the Year, birdied the 18th hole and is at 11 under. Tony Finau sits at 9 under, and he has won his last two starts on Tour. Sam Burns, who has won three times this year, and 2022 U.S. Open champion Matt Fitzpatrick sit at 9 under. Collin Morikawa and Tom Kim are in a pack at 8 under.
Although Spaun has the lead now, he will have plenty of chasers come Sunday.
Here’s comes Willy Z
Stop me if you’ve heard this before: Will Zalatoris has a chance to win on the PGA Tour.
He’s still chasing victory No. 1, but if the Wake Forest product breaks through Sunday he’ll take over the top spot in the FEC standings.
Zalatoris played his first 11 holes this week 2 over but has since turned it on. He has just one bogey on the card over his last 45 holes while making 14 birdies.
A quintuple for Rickie
Rickie Fowler was 3 under on the day, 7 under for the tournament and just a few shots away from getting into the green (the top 70 in the FedEx Cup standings).
His tee shot found the water. Then his…
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