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Mito Pereira will take a three-shot lead on the final day of the PGA Championship at Southern Hills after navigating a shaky turn to come out on top on Saturday. Pereira birdied the last one to card a 69, staying ahead of leaders Will Zalatoris and Matthew Fitzpatrick, who entered the race after an excellent 67.
However, Rory McIlroy’s attempt to end his great drought suffered a significant early blow. After running five straight pars, McIlroy put his tee shot in the water for a sixth par 3 and ran a double bogey up five to drop to two under par. A triple-bogey six followed, and although a series of birdies helped, McIlroy dropped another shot on the 18th to end the day evenly overall.
Earlier in the day, Tiger Woods recorded his worst PGA Championship result to date as a successful battle for the cut in Southern Hills took a heavy toll. Woods shot 79, his worst US PGA result to date was 77 in the first round in 2011. “I just didn’t play well,” Woods said. “I didn’t hit the ball very well and didn’t get the start I needed. I thought I hit a good tee shot and landed in the water but I never really had momentum on my side.”
After the third day, it was confirmed that Woods had withdrawn from the tournament and the 46-year-old will not play in the fourth round.
Follow all the action below in what promises to be an intriguing final day:
Zulatoris falls back
Will Zalatoris (-7) throws a shot at the par 3 six, but it will feel like a birdie. He was in real trouble off the tee and had to take a penalty shot before bouncing off the cart path.
He still had work to do with a six-foot bogey, and what sure looked like a double bogey, Zulatoris drops one at best. Great recreation game.
Michael JonesMay 22, 2022 20:58
A bogeyman for Ancer
Abraham Ancer racks up another bogey for his round, falling to (-3) along with Rory McIlroy missing another birdie chance of 14th.
Michael JonesMay 22, 2022 20:54
Pereira in front again
Mito Pereira (-9) converts his birdie putt on the fifth to get back in front. That lead is expected to be extended as Will Zatoris makes a penalty drop in sixth place.
Matt Fitzpatrick has to settle for a par.
Michael JonesMay 22, 2022 8:50 p.m
Chance for Herbert
Lucas Herbert (-3) has an opportunity to draw in ninth place, but his birdie shot misses the edge of the cup and he has to settle for par.
Rory McIlroy struggled on the 13th tee but recovered well to set up a birdie putt which he then swept past the right side of the hole.
The putts don’t fall on Rory.
Michael JonesMay 22, 2022 20:46
Zalatoris in trouble
Will Zalatoris tees off on the sixth and seems to choose a club too well as he smashes it through the back of the green, across the road and into the woods. It might even be taboo.
Cameron Young also goes over the back but he keeps his ball in play.
Michael JonesMay 22, 2022 20:44
Eagle putt for Zatoris
Two great shots on the fifth par 5 by Will Zalatoris set him in motion with a putt for Eagle from the front of the green. He finds the right line, but she just doesn’t have the legs.
On the same hole, Cameron Young slides his eagle putt past the left side of the hole but taps in to move the yardage to (-6).
Zatoris follows him in the cup for part of the lead (-8).
Michael JonesMay 22, 2022 8:39 p.m
Birdie for Fitzpatrick
Matt Fitzpatrick converts on the fourth and moves back up to (-6) where he started the day. He’s now just two shots from the lead.
Michael JonesMay 22, 2022 20:31
Birdie chance for Fitzpatrick
On the fourth, Matt Fitzpatrick has a fantastic chance to pull back a shot after a fine drive and chip to get it just yards from the hole. He should slam that in, but Mito Pereira also has a birdie opportunity.
The leader is nine feet away, the putt moves slightly from right to left. He starts wide and doesn’t come round enough, so he settles for a par.
Michael JonesMay 22, 2022 8:29 p.m
Great Ride by McIlroy
Rory McIlroy cuts the corner on the 12th with a 340-yard drive to exit a 73-yard pitch onto the green. His shot isn’t the best from this distance, but he creates another birdie chance. This one needs to go in to give Rory some confidence going into the 13th par 5.
Michael JonesMay 22, 2022 20:25
Zatoris makes a birdie
Three straight pars get him off to a good start, but things get even better for Will Zlatoris when he smashes in a five-foot for a birdie in the fourth.
He struggled with that distance yesterday but seems to have regained his form with the putter.
Michael JonesMay 22, 2022 20:23