Billy Hurley leads Quicken Loans National by two shots
Sunday 26 June 2016 12:15, UK
Billy Hurley held off a charging Ernie Els to secure a two-shot lead to take into the final round of the Quicken Loans National.
The American shot a bogey-free 67 in his third round at Congressional to reach 15 under and set himself up with a golden chance of a first win on the PGA Tour.
Live PGA Tour Golf
Hurley started Saturday tied for the lead with rookie Jon Rahm, but he moved two shots clear when the young Spaniard - playing his first event as a professional - dropped shots at the third and fourth.
Although Rahm battled back with three birdies before the turn, Hurley picked up strokes at the sixth and ninth and extended his lead when Rahm dropped two shots early on his back nine.
By the end of the 12th hole, Els had emerged as the chief rival to Hurley, who has only finished in the top 10 seven times in his 103 tournaments.
The veteran South African made three birdies on his front nine and then a spectacular eagle at 12 where his approach shot from 160 yards went straight into the hole without bouncing.
Els made it to 13 under thanks to a birdie at the 14th and eventually signed for a six-under 65, but Hurley also picked up a shot at that hole to restore his two-shot advantage heading into the final 18 holes.
"I enjoyed it," Els said. "I'm not the straightest guy but I kept it in play for the most part. The putter was hot for me most of the round. I missed two short ones and 15 and 16, but overall solid golf."
Rahm, who was the leading amateur at last week's US Open before turning pro, is one stroke further back on 12 under, having made a birdie at the 16th in a round of 70.
Former Congressional champion Bill Haas is two shots further back on 10 under alongside Webb Simpson, while Vijay Singh dropped seven shots off the lead with a disappointing round of 71.
