South Africa’s Aldrich Potgieter shot 4-under-par 67 to maintain the lead through the third round of the Mexico Open on Saturday at VidantaWorld in Vallarta, Mexico.
Potgieter is at 20 under for the tournament, holding a one-stroke edge on fast-charging Brian Campbell (64 on Saturday).
Germany’s Stephan Jaeger (66) is three strokes back at 17 under, Alex Smalley (64) sits at 15 under and Ben Griffin (67) and England’s Aaron Rai (68) share fifth place at 14 under.
Potgieter, 20, is seeking his first PGA Tour victory in his 10th appearance on the circuit.
“Brian was having a great round so I tried to just stay a little bit ahead of him,” Potgieter said. “It got a little tough throughout the day with the wind a little bit, some pin placements were a little bit more tough so didn’t make as many putts today.”
A day earlier, Potgieter’s 61 made him the fourth-youngest player with a round of 61 or better on the tour. His lead shrunk from four shots at the beginning of the third round.
“We’ll save it for (Sunday),” Potgieter said, keeping a positive outlook.
Campbell played the last 10 holes in 5 under, including a birdie on the last hole, to make a late push. He had birdies on the three par-5s on the backside.
That cut into Potgieter’s lead, which also was reduced with his bogey on No. 17. That mishap was set up when his tee shot was well off the fairway, though he said the goal was to limit the damage to a bogey in that situation.
Campbell, who had a bogey-free trip around the course in the third round, was focused on playing a steady round.
“Just limiting the mistakes and staying within reach of Aldrich,” he said.
Jaeger is contending for what would be his second victory on the tour. His birdie putt on the 18th gave him a boost prior to the final round.
The same third-round group of Potgieter Campbell and Jaeger will be in the final threesome for Sunday’s round.
Highlights were turned in Saturday by Denmark’s Nicolai Hojgaard, who had a pair of chip-in eagles of 62 and 39 yards across a three-hole stretch on his way to 66. He’s at 12 under, tied for ninth place.
There’s also Cayman Islands amateur Justin Hastings, a San Diego State golfer, drawing attention. He shot 65 on Saturday to join the group tied for ninth place.
“I felt like I played a lot more free (in the third round),” Hastings said of not worrying about the quest to make the cut. “I think it showed on the scorecard.”
Defending champion Jake Knapp’s 68 put him at 6 under and tied for 45th.
–Field Level Media
