Davis Riley shot a 4-under-par 66 on Saturday to take a four-shot lead into the final round of the Charles Schwab Challenge at Colonial Country Club in Fort Worth, Texas.
Riley is at 14 under 196 and he’ll be pursued by Scottie Scheffler, who moved into second place with his bogey-free 63 in the third round. He birdied three of the past four holes in what marked a return to form following the chaotic off-course drama from a week earlier at the PGA Championship.
There was a stunning tone around the third round, when the announcement came that PGA Tour player Grayson Murray had died at age 30. He shot 68 in the tournament’s first round and then withdrew late in the second round. Murray was from Raleigh, N.C., and had won this year’s Sony Open in Hawaii.
“We were devastated to learn — and are heartbroken to share — that PGA Tour player Grayson Murray passed away this morning. I am at a loss for words,” PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan said. “The PGA Tour is a family, and when you lose a member of your family, you are never the same.”
Riley, who led after the second round at 10 under following Friday’s bogey-free 64, went eight more holes without a bogey Saturday.
Scheffler’s third-round score was three shots better than any other golfer. Hayden Buckley (69) and Pierceson Coody (69) share third place at 9 under.
Robby Shelton’s 67 moved him to 8 under so he’ll also be in pursuit of the $1.638 million winner’s prize. Tony Finau (68) is sixth at 7 under.
Riley, who missed seven of 14 cuts entering the tournament, stretched his lead to five shots on Coody through eight holes with birdies on five holes in the round to that point. Even after a bogey on No. 9, his lead was at six strokes.
After another bogey on the 10th hole, Riley was steady the rest of the way by going 1 under for the final eight holes.
Defending champion Emiliano Grillo of Argentina shot 73, dipping into a tie for 69th place at 5 over.
–Field Level Media