Patrick Reed hit his third consecutive 9-under 63 on Saturday to take a commanding seven-stroke lead into the final round of the PGA tour event in California.
It was another perfect day in the Coachella Valley for Reed, who broke the PGA Tour record for lowest score under par in the first three rounds of a tournament, finishing at 27-under.
Matt Jones is the best-placed Australian, holding a share of seventh place though he is a whopping 10 strokes back.
Jones is three strokes clear of the second-placed Australian, Stuart Appleby, who is in equal 18th place.
Reed birdied his final hole on PGA West’s Jack Nicklaus Private Course, hitting a wedge to 2 feet on the par-4 ninth. He also had an eagle, eight birdies and a bogey.
“Any time you set a record on the PGA Tour it means you’re doing something right – well, a lot of things right,” Reed said.
“But at the same time it doesn’t matter if you have the 54-hole lead. All that matters at the end is at the end of Sunday.”
The 23-year-old Reed broke the mark of 25 under set by Gay Brewer in the 1967 Pensacola Open and matched by Ernie Els in the 2003 Tournament of Champions, Steve Stricker in the 2010 John Deere Classic and Pat Perez in the 2009 La Quinta event.
Reed was one off Stricker’s stroke record of 188 set on a par-71 course.
“Almost seems like I’m in a putting coma,” Reed said. “The hole seems huge. It almost feels like I can’t miss. It’s interesting because when I do miss a putt, I get really frustrated because I almost feel like I should make it.”
Charley Hoffman and Brendon Todd were tied for second. Hoffman, the 2007 winner, had a 66 on the Palmer course – the site of the final round. Todd shot 68 at La Quinta.
“I wish I was a little closer than seven,” Hoffman said. “The weather’s been perfect, greens are perfect. The scores and birdies are out there.”
Reed’s seven-stroke margin is the largest entering the final round in event history, a stroke more than Rik Massengale took into his 1977 victory. David Duval overcame a seven-stroke deficit to win in 1999, closing with a 59 on the Palmer course. Last year, Brian Gay began the last day six strokes behind and ended up winning in a playoff.
Reed’s wife, Justine, is pregnant with their first child, forcing her to turn over caddieing duties to her brother, Kessler Karain. She has walked every hole this year and plans to caddie again after the baby arrives around Memorial Day.
“They’re brother and sister and they act in their demeanours so much the same,” Reed said. “I’m happy she’s outside the ropes right now, because she’s carrying my little girl.”
