Keegan Bradley finds himself back on top of the leaderboard at the BMW Championship after a dramatic third round which saw plenty of movement on the leaderboard.
Bradley leads by one shot from second round leader Adam Scott with the Swedish duo of Ludvig Aberg and Alex Noren both managing to keep the pressure on the leaders in third and fourth.
With plenty to play for on one of the PGA Tour’s biggest days of the day, here is to watch out for today.
Bradley back on top after battling 70 as Scott drops back
Starting the day with a three shot lead, Adam Scott would have had high hopes of extending his lead into today’s final round. Instead, the pressure seemed to get to the Australian who, despite recovering towards the end of his round, would be left to rue a slow start where he dropped four shots in his first four holes.
With his overnight lead immediately eliminated, suddenly the tournament felt alive.
Keen to take advantage of the Australian’s early round woes, Keegan Bradley also struggled on the opening few holes but crucially was able to make the crucial putts when they mattered. Despite dropping shots on second and fourth holes, birdies on the first, fifth, sixth and seventh holes saw him move into the lead, and once hitting the top, he wouldn’t let his lead slip.
As has been the case for the freshly appointed U.S. Ryder Cup captain he was exceptionally strong over the last few holes. Dropping three consecutive shots on the 11th, 12th and 13th holes, Bradley was able to claw those shots back on the 14th, 15th and 17th holes. Another dropped shot on the 16th was frustrating but another birdie on 18 would ensure that it would be him who would start today’s final round with the lead.
Able to draw on all of his experience, Scott was able to work his way into his round, and limit the damage of his slow start. Huge birdies on 16 and 17 would ensure that he would end his round with a 74 and start today’s round with just a single stroke deficit.
Swedes stay in the hunt
Both Ludvig Aberg and Alex Noren stayed in the hunt to win the biggest titles of their careers as they battled the conditions to ensure they would start the final round trailing by just two strokes.
First to make his move was Aberg. Having enjoyed a tremendous year, the Swede has moved all the way up to four in the world and looks set to dominate events at the top of the game for years to come.
Although he has tasted success on both the PGA and DP World Tours, he is still looking for his first significant title and after picking up three shots through his first five holes the Swede moved into the lead.
Looking to stamp his class and authority on the field, just like Scott and Bradley the wheels would start to come off. As soon as he hit the front two bogeys would follow on the 6th and 7th, and that would be compounded by a double on 11 and another bogey on 13.
He would end the day clawing two shots back thanks to a superb eagle on the 14th. Signing off for an up and down round of 71, Aberg will start today two off the lead but knows that yesterday could have been so much better.
Alex Noren is an unlikely name to see so high on the leaderboard but Noren knows what it takes to win having won ten times across the PGA and DP World Tours.
Due to the pressure, a slow start could be expected and it came with him dropping three shots through his first five holes, but he wouldn’t be deterred.
Finding a birdie on the eighth, Noren arguably played the best back nine of the day. Posting another birdie on ten, a trio of birdies would end his day and he would have been delighted with his closing 70.
Although he will classed as an outside contender today, if he can start as well as he finished his chances can’t be discounted.
As Scheffler struggles, Schaufelle piles on the pressure
The great thing about the Playoffs is that although eyes are on the battle at the top, there is also plenty of other storylines to keep an eye on and the battle to end the year as the FedEx Champion has been hugely entertaining.
With it likely to come down to the best two players of the year in the shape of Xander Schauffele and Scottie Scheffler, it was Schauffele who was able to eat into the world number one’s lead further thanks to his best round of the week.
Starting his third round at -2, the two time major winner produced some stunning golf to pick up five shots and propel himself right up the leaderboard.
Ending the day in fifth, Schauffele will start today’s final round five off the lead held by Bradley, but he knows that if the leaders slip, he can take full advantage.
Enjoying a six shot lead over the Scheffler, as it stands it is still the world number one who will head to Eastlake atop the overall FedEx standings, however if Schauffele can produce a special round today that could change.
With Scheffler trying to claw back the deficit and Schauffele trying to power further clear, it will be something to watch with real interest today.
BMW Championship final round betting odds
If you want to place a bet ahead of the final round teeing off, here are the latest betting odds.
Keegan Bradley - 5/2
Adam Scott - 16/5
Ludvig Aberg - 10/3
Alex Noren - 6/1
Xander Schauffele - 17/2
Wyndham Clark - 18/1
Rory McIlroy - 55/1
Patrick Cantlay - 66/1
Taylor Pendrith - 70/1
Si Woo Kim - 90/1
Jack Hartman
A keen golfer and huge fan of the game, Jack has been covering golf for the last five years. Bringing you all the latest coverage and news from the PGA, LIV, LPGA and DP World Tours, never before has golf been so popular and Jack can’t wait to bring all the excitement to his readers.
