Lee Hodges walks off the second tee box during the third round of the 3M Open golf tournament. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports
Hodges has no PGA Tour victories or runner-up finishes in his career. He was 74th in the FedEx Cup standings coming into the 3M Open.
He also could go wire-to-wire in dominant fashion.
Hodges had his worst round of the week Saturday and still increased his lead. He shot 5-under 66 on the heels of an opening 63, his second-best Tour round ever, and a 64 on Friday to sit at 20 under heading to the final round. Hodges’ 36-hole mark of 15 under was the lowest in tournament history, and his third-round total of 193 is also the fewest strokes after 54 holes.
“We’ve been aggressive just because the greens have been soft, but we just made a real conscious effort this week to commit to every shot we’ve hit and not get ahead of ourselves,” Hodges said. “I mean, when I’m walking down the fairway, all I’m thinking about is the next shot I’m going to hit. I’ve done a really good job of not getting ahead of myself, and I think I will tomorrow, as well. Yeah, we’ve just really, really stuck to our process this week.”
The five-stroke advantage heading into the final round is one behind the largest on Tour this season.
Hodges had his first bogey of the week on the second, but he bounced back with consecutive birdies on Nos. 5-6 before another bogey on the ninth, turning in even-par. Then he caught fire on the back nine, birdieing three of his first four holes, adding another on the drivable par-4 16th and a final one on the par-5 18th.
All week long, Hodges has talked about having nothing to lose coming into the week. He’s excited for the challenge of trying to win his first Tour event.
“I honestly don’t think I’ll be that nervous tonight,” Hodges said. “I’ll hang out with my wife, we’ll go do something fun. I mean, yeah, it’s just golf at the end of the day. I’m lucky to be here.”
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