Best-buddy duo Xander Schauffele and Patrick Cantlay formed the last group at the Travelers Championship on Saturday. The duo won the Zurich Classic of New Orleans at TPC Louisiana earlier this season and were visibly comfortable in the third round.
They will be together again on Sunday.
Schauffele bounced back nicely from his first bogey of the tournament at number 13 with birdies on 16 and 17 to come under 17, while Cantlay played consistently all day. A bogey-free, seven-birdie 63 closed the gap between him and his good friend.
They have the final start time for the final round, with Schauffele one shot better than Cantlay.
Here are five takeaways from the third round of the Travelers Championship.
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Cantlay went hunting
Patrick Cantlay makes a putt on the ninth green during the third round of the Travelers Championship golf tournament. Mandatory credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
When Patrick Cantlay went head to head with Bryson DeChambeau at the BMW Championship last year, he got this look in his eye. Despite DeChambeau beating him on every hole, Cantlay made every putt he looked at during the playoff and went on to win the tournament.
He had the same look in his eyes on Saturday. Just look at his reaction to Schauffele stopping one in 17.
Seven birdies, no bogeys and a chance to win on Sunday.
A step to the top
Sahith Theegala hits a shot from the first tee in the third round of the Travelers Championship golf tournament. Mandatory credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
Sahith Theegala was close to claiming his first PGA Tour title at the WM Phoenix Open earlier this year, but ended up finishing third.
On Saturday at River Highlands, the young man went low. Thanks to five birdies and an eagle on the par-5 13th, Theegala stormed the standings with a 6-under 64.
He’s three shots back with 18 holes to go.
More big numbers for Rory McIlroy
Rory McIlroy hits a shot from the first tee during the third round of the Travelers Championship golf tournament. Mandatory credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
McIlroy was at 8 under to start the day and needed a low round on Saturday to have a chance of winning. But another large number killed his chances.
On the short par-4 second, McIlroy pulled a driver into the tree which is just 60 yards from the tee box. After an adventure in the fescue, he walked down the green with a double bogey.
On Friday, a four-time bogey dropped him in the standings after taking the lead at 13 under.
He seems to be running on fumes after a tiring journey of several weeks. Two late bogeys pushed him all the way back to 6 under for the tournament.
The child has a chance
United States amateur Michael Thorbjornsen talks to his caddy as they walk past the 13th hole during the first round of the Travelers Championship at TPC River Highlands on June 23, 2022 in Cromwell, Connecticut. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)
A week after missing the cut at the US Open, amateur Michael Thorbjornsen has a chance to win the Travelers Championship.
The young boy is from Wellesley, Massachusetts, just a short drive from Cromwell, Connecticut. He is currently a junior at Stanford and led the Cardinal in scoring average during his sophomore year.
After rounds of 68-65, Thorbjornsen posted a 66 on move day and is six on his way back to Sunday.
It’s time to win, Xander
Xander Schauffele hits a shot from the fairway of the ninth hole during the third round of the Travelers Championship golf tournament. Mandatory credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
Yes, he won the Zurich. Yes, he won the gold medal in the Olympics. But it’s been a while since Schauffele won a stroke play event on the PGA Tour. How long? We will …
Morikawa has now won five times on the PGA Tour, including two major championships.
It’s time to get the job done, Xander.
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