Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
Adam Long went from looking to hit a street in a field so open that it’s hard to fail. He went from grinding pairs to throwing birdies.
A week after fighting for the winged foot position at the US Open, Long loves life in the Caribbean.
Long made five birdies in a six-hole stretch to take the lead and ended up with key saves for an 8-64 that gave him a two-stroke lead over Hudson Swafford at the Corales Puntacana Resort and Club Championship.
“A big contrast between the US Open and here, obviously,” Long said. “It was an intellectual routine. It was just a way out to hit a street. put it on the green and look to make pairs. Here’s a very different landscape. It sounds very open coming from Winged Foot, but there are many drivers looking to hit it as far as they can.
Swafford made no birdies in his last 10 holes in his 69-hole circular, he was unwilling to take any chances and drop unnecessary shots, he is still in the ultimate organization with a smart shot at his time PGA Tour title.
“Right in the middle. I didn’t do anything to hurt me today,” Swafford said. “Obviously, Adam Long came out and played a bad pass in a rough wind. . . I have to do the wrong thing and put some tension in Adam. “
Long, who has nine of his last 10 holes, tied the circular down on Saturday and will pass after his PGA Tour title moment. The other in January 2019 when he made a birdie in the last hole of the Desert Classic to beat Phil Mickelson and Adam Hadwin.
It has a little more separation before the last circular in the Dominican Republic. Long with 17 under 199, with only five other players within five shots of the advantage.
Swafford has 15 less and will be in the final group. Mackenzie Hughes of Canada played twice for birdie at the end of his 67-shot circular, leaving him 3 shots behind. Xinjun Zhang of China had 68 and thirteen under, while Nate Lashley (65) and Sean O’Hair (70) were five shots back.
European PGA: English golfer Aaron Rai shot 3-under-67 to take a one-shot lead after the third round of the Irish Open as he seeks his victory on the circuit. circular moment, leaving him tied for the lead at the time, and then shooting 68 in the afternoon at Ballymena. Dean Burmster (68), Jazz Janewattananond (66) and Oscar Lengden (66) are other shots ahead of Sunday’s final circular.