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PHOENIX – Kevin Sutherland hit an inch sand wedge on par 18th par 5 for one last birdie on a windy desert Saturday afternoon at the Charles Schwab Cup Championship.
Sutherland threw a 7-under 64 to take a five-time lead in the final round at the Phoenix Country Club. He had a total of 13 under 129s.
“Yeah, he played hard, I just hit a lot of shots very close to the hole, he hit hard,” Sutherland said. “What was important for me today is that I got out of the bunker at 6. At that point I felt I couldn’t find a rhythm. After that, I hit almost all the hits straight from the button and did a few putts and got a couple very close and just kind of an avalanche.
The tournament is the last official event of the year, but not the season as in the past. Due to the coronavirus pandemic and subsequent loss of tournaments, the 2020 and 2021 seasons have been combined with the Schwab Cup winner to be determined in a year’s time.
Highlights: Sutherland rises to a five-shot lead in the Schwab Cup
The 56-year-old Californian player won the 2017 event – as well as the Season Points title – at tree-lined Phoenix Country Club for the first of his three PGA Tour Champions wins.
“This place has been so good to me,” Sutherland said. “It’s hard to believe that three years ago I won here and I won the Schwab Cup. This place has fond memories for me. “
Sutherland had eight birds and a bugbear, playing the back nine in 5-under 30s in the strong wind.
“My ball was swinging on the tee on the 16th, it was a little disconcerting,” Sutherland said. “It was a little disconcerting to see the ball swing a bit as you prepare to hit it. When it’s windy like this, you just have to go. “
All-court scores from the Charles Schwab Cup Championship
Wes Short Jr. was second after a 66.
“It was tough conditions, I thought about the way the wind was blowing,” said Short. “I just didn’t hit him enough on the tee to really attack. It was just like defense mode all day. “
Tom Lehman (67) and Paul Broadhurst (68) were 7 under, and Jim Furyk (68) was 6 under with Corey Pavin (67), Woody Austin (69) and Mike Weir (69).
“The way this course is, someone will be doing a nice ride,” Sutherland said. “I may have to shoot something at least 3 or 4 below the value tomorrow to win. It doesn’t change my mentality at all. “
First round leaders Paul Goydos and Brandt Jobe are back after their starting 64. Jobe was 5 under after a 73, and Goydos had a 75 to drop to 3 under.
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