Lee Hodges is in solid position to win his first PGA title as he holds a five-shot lead after three rounds of the 3M Open at Blaine, Minn.
Hodges sits at 20-under 193 after recording a 5-under 66 in Saturday’s third round at TPC Twin Cities. J.T. Poston is a distant second after also shooting 66.
Without a victory on Tour under his belt, Hodges has been playing without any expectations, allowing him to head into Sunday’s final round with little pressure.
“I have nothing to lose. I’m out here playing with house money,” Hodges said. “I have a job next year on the PGA Tour, this is all great. This is just icing on the cake.”
Defending champion Tony Finau (67 on Saturday) is six shots back in third. Australia’s Aaron Baddeley (65) is seven shots off the pace.
“I think I’m going to be in pretty similar position I was in last year, a handful of shots back, maybe more,” Finau said. “It’s a golf course that can yield some birdies, and I’m definitely going to have to make some (Sunday) if I’m going to make a run.”
Hodges broke the tournament’s 54-hole record set last year by Scott Piercy (195).
Hodges carded seven birdies and two bogeys in the third round. Five of the birdies came on the back nine as he shot a stellar 31.
“I didn’t think I played bad on the front nine, I just couldn’t really get it close to the hole, and when I did, I couldn’t make the putt,” Hodges said, “On the back, I hit a lot of really good shots. Putter got going, which was nice. I knew it would if I just kept hitting putts, I’ve been rolling it so nice.
“I felt really comfortable out there (Saturday).”
Hodges missed the cut in three of his previous four events.
Sam Ryder (65), Keith Mitchell (67), Billy Horschel (68) and Kevin Streelman (69) are tied for fifth at 12-under 201.
–Field Level Media
