Putnam, Johnson turn St. Jude into 2-man race
MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Andrew Putnam will be playing in the last group on Sunday for the first time looking for his first PGA Tour victory. His playing partner will be Dustin Johnson, who’s already won once this year and needs his 18th career victory to reclaim his spot as the world’s top-ranked golfer .
“It’s going to feel a little different than the typical Sunday round of golf, but I’m excited for it,” Putnam said. “I’ve earned my way here and I feel like it’s going to be a fun day. See what happens.”
Putnam matched the best round of his short PGA Tour career Saturday with a 6-under 64 and tied Johnson atop the leaderboard at the St. Jude Classic. Johnson had a 65 to match Putnam at 15-under 195 and said he’s in great position going into Sunday.
“I can kind of control my own destiny,” Johnson said. “If I go out and play really good golf, probably going to win. If I don’t, I’m sure Andrew’s going to beat me. He’s playing really good right now. It’s pretty simple.”
LPGA Tour
GALLOWAY, N.J. – Sei Young Kim birdied seven of her last 10 holes for a share of the lead with Celine Herbin in the suspended second round of the ShopRite LPGA.
Kim was 10 under for the tournament with three holes left when play was suspended because of darkness.
Herbin had her second straight 5-under 66.
Champions Tour
DES MOINES, Iowa – Tom Lehman might finally get an elusive senior victory in Iowa after so many close calls.
Lehman shot a 7-under 65 to take a two-shot lead into the final round of the PGA Tour Champions’ Principal Charity Classic.
Lehman eagled the par-5 eighth and played a 10-hole stretch in 7 under before dropping a stroke on the par-4 18th. He had a 13-under 131 total, the best tworound score at Wakonda Club. Length: 7,445 yards.
Par: 70 (35-35).
Cut: Top 60 players and ties.
Playoff (if necessary): Two-hole aggregate immediately after 72 holes are completed.
Field: 156 players.
Purse: $12 million. Winner’s share: $2.16 million.
Defending champion: Brooks Koepka. Last year: Brooks Koepka broke away from a tight pack with three straight birdies on the back nine at Erin Hills and closed with a 5-under 67 for a four-shot victory. He made a conservative par on the par-5 18th to finish at 16-under 272, tying Rory McIlroy’s record to par for a U.S. Open. With generous fairways at Erin Hills, seven players finished at 10 under or better. Brian Harman and Hideki Matsuyama tied for second.
TV: Thursday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. (FS1), 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. (Ch. 10); Saturday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Ch. 10); Sunday, 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. (Ch. 10).