Australians Greg Chalmers, Marc Leishman and Matt Jones set themselves up for big paydays before record-breaking crowds at the US PGA Tour’s party stop Phoenix Open.
But the Aussie trio appeared to be playing for second place in the $US6.1 million ($A5.7 million) event as American Spencer Levin extended his lead to six shots after the third round on Saturday.
A massive crowd of 173,210 packed TPC Scottsdale on Saturday, breaking the record of 170,802 who attended the 2008 third round.
They didn’t daunt 27-year-old Levin, the world No.92, who fired a three-under 68 to reach 17-under 196 and lead from Webb Simpson (68) with Bubba Watson (67) and John Huh (69) a shot back.
Best remembered for a hole-in-one and 13th-place tie in the 2004 US Open at Shinnecock while still in school, Levin is winless on the US PGA Tour but came close last year, losing a play-off to Johnson Wagner in the Mayakoba Golf Classic.
“It was fun for sure, but I was trying to focus, too,” Levin said of the huge crowd and party atmosphere.
“You don’t get that too often, all those people cheering.”
Nor did the rowdy crowd worry Chalmers, the Australian Open and Australian PGA champion, who shot 67 to climb into a share of fifth at nine-under.
The West Australian lefthander’s five birdies included one before the baying throng at the packed par-three 16th stadium hole.
Countryman Matt Jones also responded positively in the noisy ambience, shooting a 67 to be tied with Leishman (68) in 12th spot at seven-under.
Leishman’s rollercoaster round included seven birdies, including four straight to finish from the 15th but also two bogeys and a double bogey at the 12th.
Levin went into the third round with a five-stroke cushion after opening rounds of 65 and 63 and showed his mettle as he notched four birdies against his only bogey of the tournament so far at the par-five 15th.
Levin was unsure whether the party atmosphere would help or hinder his quest for a maiden title on Sunday.
“You know, I never really thought about that,” he said.
“I don’t know – those fans on 16 are pretty cool. The guys on the left were cool. They were rooting for me, so hopefully they keep rooting for me, so that felt pretty good. That kind of eased it up a little bit.
“I don’t know; that’s a good question. But it sure is a lot of fun, though, man. Those last few holes are a lot of fun. It’s a cool feeling going to 16. You can’t really buy that feeling.”