Red-hot rookie Ben James is on track for a maiden PGA Tour victory after opening a four-shot lead going into the final round of the World Wide Technology Championship in Mexico.
The 23-year-old American followed earlier scores of 65 64 with a six-under 66 on Saturday as he extended his one-shot overnight lead, quickly leaving everyone else behind and reaching 21 under.
James, who turned pro in June, finished with a superb pitch to two feet for birdie on the par-5 18th to establish his handy margin from second-placed Ryan Gerard (65), with Chris Kirk (65) and Denny McCarthy a further shot back.
Australia’s Cam Davis continued his late season rally with a 67 to be tied 13th, eight shots behind the leader at the Tiger Woods-designed El Cardonal at Diamante course in Cabo San Lucas.
Davis started fast with a eagle on the par 5 opening hole and birdie on the second and added two more birdies, including one at the 18th.
James had the 36-hole lead in his first start as a pro at the RBC Canadian Open. But he then stumbled badly to a 78 and finished out of the top 50.
Not this time. He dropped only one shot on the front nine. His closing stretch included a shot that caught the ridge perfectly on the 15th and rolled down to two feet.
“I hit a little cut 5(-iron) in there, which was a little risky but we knew with wind off the right and a draw it had a better chance of rolling left, and it’s not so good over there,” James said. “Just hit a really well-executed shot that just got maybe a good break but I thought it was just a great shot.”
James already has a full card for next year through his top PGA Tour University ranking. A victory would put him on the upper Championship Series when the tour’s new model starts in 2028, and it should be enough to move him into the top 50 in the world.
He has posted 14 rounds of 65 or lower in his 13 PGA Tour tournaments – more than any other player in that time period.
Gerard played bogey-free for his 65, missing a six-foot birdie putt on the final hole.
He is the highest-ranked player in the field at world No.23 in the world and decided to play this week in Baja California instead of going to Abu Dhabi at No.70 in the Race to Dubai, avoiding travel to the Middle East.
He switched putters mid-tournament — he carries two putters with him — going from a mallet style to a blade, mostly because of previous success on Paspalum grass.
“Just rolled it pretty nicely all day,” Gerard said. “Feel good about the pace. I just need a couple of them to go in tomorrow and to keep hitting the center of the face and we’ll be fine.”
Alvaro Ortiz of Mexico (66) was in the group tied fifth and six shots behind, along with Paul Peterson (66), Keith Mitchell (67) and Japan’s Kensei Hirata (67).
with AAP
