Beau Hossler and JJ Spaun three clear at Shriners Hospital for Children Open
Sunday 5 November 2017 12:53, UK
Beau Hossler and JJ Spaun are tied for the lead heading into the final round of the Shriners Hospital for Children Open in Las Vegas.
Halfway leader Spaun struggled to a two-over 73 in his third round, giving Hossler the chance to close in and set up the chance of a battle between two players who are seeking their maiden PGA Tour victories.
Spaun was three shots clear heading into Saturday's play, but that lead was cut to one by Kelly Kraft, who returned to TPC Summerlin early in the morning and birdied two of his remaining three holes.
But Kraft was unable to keep his momentum going when he returned to the course later in the day, carding an ugly round of 79 to drop seven shots off the pace.
Live PGA Tour Golf
Spaun also struggled early on in windy conditions, dropping three shots in his first five holes to fall back into the clutches of the field.
Among the early challengers, and definitely feelgood story of the week, was AJ McInerney, who was handed a sponsors invite for the event after surviving last month's shooting in the city which claimed the lives of 58 people.
McInerney, who is making his PGA Tour debut, moved to five-under when he picked up four shots in four holes midway through his front-nine.
But the 24-year-old from nearby Henderson, Nevada, could not sustain his challenge and dropped three shots coming home to finish the day on two-under alongside Kraft.
Spaun was able to settle down a little early on his back-nine, picking up shots at the 10th and 13th to extending his advantage once again.
But Hossler had moved into contention with three birdies on his front-nine and he would go on to manage a round without a dropped shot, making further headway with two more birdies in his last four holes.
When Spaun dropped another stroke at the 17th, Hossler found himself in a tie for the lead, and Spaun had to hole from 10 feet on the last to remain in a tie for top spot heading into the final 18 holes.
Tony Finau sits in third place on his own at six under after a third successive round of 69, while Tom Hoge, Gary Woodland, Chesson Hadley and Patrick Cantlay share fourth on five under.
