Werenski rallies late, matches Thompson at top in 3M Open

BLAINE, Minn. — Richy Werenski birdied three of the last four holes Saturday to erase a four-stroke deficit and catch Michael Thompson for the 3M Open lead.

After sharing the halfway lead, Thompson and Werenski traveled on different paths to each shoot 3-under-par 68 before walking together to the clubhouse even again. They were at 15 under at TPC Twin Cities.

Charl Schwartzel shot a 66 in the third round, pulling even with Tony Finau for third place at 13 under. Max Homa posted a 64, making a big jump to fifth at 12 under.

UNLV product Ryan Moore and Henderson resident Nick Watney were among seven players tied at 11 under.

Thompson, who entered the week well below the cut for the FedEx Cup Playoffs in 151st place, made three straight birdies on the front nine. The 35-year-old, whose lone tour win was at the Honda Classic in Florida in 2013, knocked in another one on the 590-yard, par-5 12th hole to move to 16 under.

Thompson held a four-stroke lead until the 15th, when his game on the greens suddenly faltered. His 8-foot putt for birdie went long, and he settled for par.

Werenski, who was one spot off

the FedEx Cup cut last season and came to Minnesota in 89th place, birdied the 15th hole to move up. So did their playing partner Finau, making up for three earlier bogeys.

Thompson rolled a 15-footer too long on the 17th green, too, taking his second bogey of the tournament as a light rain began to fall on another muggy and breezy afternoon in this suburb north of Minneapolis as the heat index reached the upper 90s.

■ At Newcastle upon Tyne, England, Renato Paratore won the Betfred British Masters for his second tour victory after closing with a 2-under 69 that included his first two bogeys of the tournament. The Italian finished at 18-under 266, three shots better than runner-up Rasmus Hojgaard (70).

Lee Westwood, the event host and lone player in the field ranked in the top 50, closed with an 8-over 79 and placed 70th — last among players who made the cut — after entering as the favorite.

European PGA: