The first event of the FedEx Cup Fall is shaping up for a fantastic finish.
Following Saturday’s third round of the 2023 Fortinet Championship at Silverado Resort’s North Course in Napa, California, there’s numerous names in contention to win a title, including Justin Thomas, who was using this week as a tune-up before the Ryder Cup in two weeks.
In the group near the top of the leaderboard includes numerous PGA Tour winners, but there are also many who are searching for their first Tour victory. With plenty at stake for the 2024 season and beyond, there’s bound to be excitement Sunday in wine country.
Here’s everything you need to know from the third round of the Fortinet Championship.
Is it Sahith's time?
Sahith Theegala is one of the young stars on the PGA Tour who many are surprised hasn’t found a way to win yet. Come Sunday, there’s a good chance that changes.
Theegala, the 25-year-old California native, shot 5-under 67 on Saturday to move from a share of the lead to in front alone at Silverado Resort with 18 holes to play. Theegala, who did capture the QBE Shootout last December, is closing in on a big victory to push his career to the next level.
“I’ve been lucky enough to kind of win at every level and ultimately that’s why we play,” Theegala said. “The reason I’m teeing it up this week is because I want to win. I think a lot of people would say the same. I’m just so competitive, and we all hate losing out here. Yeah, there’s no question that we want to win. I think by sticking to this process that’s worked so well for me the last few years, even though I haven’t won in the last couple years, I see it all as a really big win for me.”
He started slow on moving day, making only one birdie in his first 11 holes. Then he caught fire, making birdies on four of his final seven holes, including a chip-in on the par-3 17th, plus a good up-and-down on the 18th to sign for 66.
He has a two-shot lead on S.H. Kim, who shared the 36-hole lead with Theegala and shot 3 under on Saturday. Also tied for second is Cam Davis and Justin Thomas, who each shot 7 under.
“I’ve said it so many times, the PGA TOUR’s probably as deep as it’s ever been and these guys are really, really good,” Theegala said. “It takes a lot, three, four rounds of really good golf to be in contention.
“I think I learned just as much from not being in contention as being in contention, seeing that it’s both doable, but you’ve just got to keep putting in the work and hopefully it pays off on the golf course.”
Is Justin Thomas back?
Who’s that sitting T-2? It’s Justin Thomas.
Yeah, the guy who was playing this week to get some extra reps before the Ryder Cup. The two-time major winner who had been in the worst slump of his career. However, it seems as if Thomas may have turned a corner.
A hole-out eagle highlighted his 7-under 65 on Saturday, moving Thomas to 15 under for the tournament and two shots behind Sahith Theegala.
“I felt like I played better, quite a bit better yesterday than I did today,” Thomas said. “I definitely got a couple good breaks. I got away with a couple bad tee shots or, you know, a couple putts, you know. I felt like I just pulled that putt on 14 and it just caught the edge.”
He’ll be in the penultimate pairing come Sunday, and there’s no doubt he’ll be licking his chops with his best chance for a win since February.
“To me, being in contention with I feel like the golf that I’ve had this week is more encouraging than anything,” Thomas said.
Matt Kuchar makes a move
Matt Kuchar is a nine-time PGA Tour winner, though it has been four years since he hoisted a trophy at week’s end. He’s in position to change that this week.
Kuchar shot 7-under 65 on Moving Day, vaulting up the leaderboard and into great position heading into the final round. Kuchar is 14 under and four shots behind Theegala. The 7-under mark tied the low round of the day.
“It was really good, steady golf,” Kuchar said. “It’s been fun. I got off to a funny start on Thursday with a triple bogey on my second hole of the day and then bounced back really quickly, an eagle and a birdie following two holes and then a double. My golf’s normally not like that.
“My golf is normally pretty steady, it’s pretty good at bogey avoidance, certainly good at double and triple bogey avoidance. But I was able to turn that into a solid round of 2 under.”
After rounds of 70 and 67 to begin the week, Kuchar capitalized with seven birdies Saturday to move into position to win and gain valuable FedEx Cup points.
He’s projected 59th in the FedEx Cup standings after starting the week 66th. Position Nos. 51-60 after the fall will earn spots in the fields at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am and Genesis Invitational, two of the first signature events in 2024.
“I love playing, love having a chance to compete,” Kuchar said. “Being out here at Silverado’s a fantastic resort, fantastic golf course. This is one that regardless of where on the schedule it is I’m likely to find myself here.”
Max Homa's three-peat hopes are dwindling
After seven holes Saturday, Max Homa was 5 under for the day and held the solo lead at the tournament he has won the past two years. The next 11 holes were much more of a struggle.
Homa had four bogeys and only one birdie to close his third round, signing for a 2-under 70 to sit at 10 under heading into the final round. Although he’s not out of it, Homa’s chances at a three-peat are likely gone after he cooled off Saturday.
“Yeah, just frustrating. I played awesome all day, just bad decision on 8, just playing like I’m a college golfer, make bogey, and then 9, was reeling off the decision on 8,” Homa said. “Then hit it good the rest of the back nine. Just hit it in a funny spot on 13 again, then didn’t capitalize on anything I did good the rest of the way in. Just one of those back nines. Frustrating because I had it today and did nothing with it. Live to see another day.”
Steve Stricker is the last player to win an event three straight years on Tour, coming from 2009-11 at the John Deere Classic.
