Los Angeles (AFP) – Canada’s Nick Taylor and American Sahith Theegala shared the lead on 15-under par 198 after Sunday’s conclusion of the darkness-halted third round of the PGA Phoenix Open.
Taylor completed a three-under 68 third round while Theegala finished a 69 to share the lead after 54 holes at TPC Scottsdale then began their final rounds in hopes of finishing by sunset.
A 3 1/2-hour rain delay on Thursday disrupted the tournament schedule and set the stage for leaders trying to complete the final 30 holes after a 75-minute frost delay.
Americans Charley Hoffman and Andrew Novak began the final round sharing second on 199 with world number one Scottie Scheffler and fellow American Cameron Young sharing fifth on 200.
Taylor led Theegala by one stroke when sunset stopped play on Saturday after both had completed six holes.
But Taylor made bogeys at seven and nine on Sunday morning and while he answered with birdies at 11 and the par-5 13th.
That opened the door for Theegala, who sank a birdie putt from just inside four feet at 10 and another from 10 feet at the par-5 13th to lead by a stroke at 14-under.
Taylor birdied the par-5 15th to grab a share of the lead and they both stayed level for the lead with birdies at 17, Theegala sinking a four-foot putt and Taylor a tap-in after driving the penultimate green.
Scheffler reeled off five consecutive birdies from the ninth through 13th holes — matching the best birdie run of his PGA career — before a bogey ended his run on the way to a 66.
It marked the fourth time Scheffler had made five birdies in a row in a round, the first time since last year’s Players Championship.
Hoffman birdied the par-5 13th then birdied the last four holes to charge into contention.
