(Getty Images)
Brooks Koepka brings a one-shot lead into the final round as the LIV golfer targets a third US PGA Championship title at Oak Hill. The American was the star performer on Saturday with a four-under-par round of 66 to reach six-under for the tournament in wet conditions in Rochester, New York.
On a tough day to score Viktor Hovland and Corey Conners showed the type of consistency needed to win a major with both players recording even par round to keep them near the top of the leaderboard. Just one shot off the lead before the final round, they will lead the chasing pack which includes the USA’s Bryson DeChambeau (-3) and England’s Justin Rose (-2).
World number two Scottie Scheffler is also in the mix after an up-and-down day saw him drop back to two under but he’ll need to regain his form from the previous two rounds if he wants to challenge on Sunday.
Meanwhile, Rory McIlroy remains in contention for a third US PGA but trails Koepka by five after a one-under-par 69 yesterday. The Northern Irishman will play alongside club pro Michael Block after the 46-year-old Californian fired his third successive round of 70 to remain at level par.
Follow the leaderboard and latest updates from Oak Hill below:
Penultimate hole for Scheffler
You have to think Scheffler needs at least one birdie from his last two holes and that shot into 17th is hardly his best. A long-range putt coming up for the American.
Ben Fleming21 May 2023 22:56
Hovland in trouble off the tee
Koepka -9 (15), Hovland -8 (15)
Hovland steps up first…and it’s right. How right? Into the bunker is the answer. That is the same one Conners found himself in yesterday.
Koepka is in the rough after his leaks right as well but you’d have to say that advantage lies with the leader after those shots.
Ben Fleming21 May 2023 22:53
Missed chance for Scheffler
Scheffler -6 (16), Rose -2 (16)
The world number two is running out of holes to get up towards Koepka and he has a good look at 16 but it goes by. Two holes remaining for him to find something magical.
Ben Fleming21 May 2023 22:49
A pair of pars for Koepka and Hovland
Koepka -9 (15), Hovland -8 (15)
Koepka steps up first with his effort and it’s a great lag putt up to the hole and he taps in for a birdie. Hovland’s effort, along a similar line, runs out of steam and falls away on the right side. A par for him too.
Ben Fleming21 May 2023 22:47
Final pair aboard the 15th green
Koepka -9 (14), Hovland -8 (14)
The par-three 15th is next and Hovland goes first. It’s safely aboard on the left side of the green. Koepka goes next and follows his playing partner. You don’t want to be right of this pin and both take the percentage play with their tee shots.
Ben Fleming21 May 2023 22:42
Koepka and Hovland make birdie
Koepka -9 (14), Hovland -8 (14)
The short par-four 14th offers up an opportunity for the pair. Koepka goes long into the back fringe while Hovland ends up short between the bunkers. The Norwegian goes first and does well to fly it back to the pin but he has eight feet for birdie…which he makes!! Great stuff from Viktor.
Koepka rolls his past the hole but it’s just three feet left and he too makes birdie. He keeps the one-shot lead with four holes remaining…
Ben Fleming21 May 2023 22:40
Rose makes a much-needed birdie
Scheffler -6 (15), Rose -2 (15)
There hasn’t been much to write home about for Justin Rose this last hour but 25 feet for birdie on the 15th will do nicely. He’s back to even par for his round. Scheffler had a tricky stance but he’s able to get up and down for a par.
Ben Fleming21 May 2023 22:35
Birdies for Conners and DeChambeau
Conners -2 (14), DeChambeau -3 (14)
Conners and DeChambeau are working as a pair it seems. A couple of holes back they both made bogey but they can take advantage of the short par-four 14th to make a pair of birdies this time.
Ben Fleming21 May 2023 22:32
Scheffler makes another birdie
Scheffler -6 (14), Rose -1 (14)
In amongst the madness of Michael Block’s hole-in-one, Scheffler makes use of the short par-four 14th to knock in back-to-back birdies. He is back within two of the lead.
Rose has faded out of sight but makes par. His tournament is all but over.
Ben Fleming21 May 2023 22:27
Hovland birdies 13, lead back to one
Koepka -8 (13), Hovland -7 (13)
Koepka’s iron into the par-five green comes up short and it spins back off the green. The American tries to race it up to the pin but it flies by and he’ll be putting for a crucial par.
Meanwhile, Hovland steps up for his birdie effort…and makes it! What a performance from the Norwegian who just won’t go away.
Koepka for par…he makes it! Nervless stuff down the slope but the American’s lead is cut to one.
Ben Fleming21 May 2023 22:25
2023-05-21 17:36:53