GOLD COAST — Harold Varner made six birdies in a flawless round of 66 to grab a share of the lead after the third round of the Australian PGA Championship Saturday.
The American shot the lowest round of the day at a windy Royal Pines Resort on the Gold Coast to join the South African pair of Dylan Frittelli and Zander Lombard in a three-way tie for the lead at three-under par.
Frittelli and Lombard both shot rounds of 71 while Australia’s Nathan Holman, the only other player under par for the tournament, carded a 70 to move to outright fourth place at one-under.
Sweden’s David Lingmerth, the overnight leader, dropped back to even par, level with Australia’s Matthew Millar, after a round of 75 on a heavily-congested leaderboard with 20 players within six strokes of the lead.
The big-hitting Varner, who recently graduated to the US PGA Tour, climbed 27 places to grab his share of the lead in the event, co-sanctioned by the European Tour and the PGA Tour of Australasia.
He birdied the third, seventh and eighth holes to move to level par then reeled off three birdies in a row from the 14th despite struggling in the blustery conditions.
Spieth shares lead
In Bahamas, Jordan Spieth rallied from a rugged start for a 6-under 66 Friday that gave him a share of the lead with Jimmy Walker and Bill Haas going into the weekend at the Hero World Challenge.
Spieth feels like he’s on vacation in the Bahamas. On the golf course, it’s all business.
Coming off two bogeys in five holes, he responded with three straight birdies and then an eagle and two more birdies on the back nine at Albany Golf Club.
Walker took another step in working on a new move in his golf swing and drove the ball beautifully in his round of 65. Haas, one of the sponsor exemptions for the tournament hosted by Tiger Woods, also had a 66.
They were at 11-under 133.
Feng in front
In Florida, China’s Simin Feng eagled the par-5 18th hole Friday to take a two-stroke lead after the third round of the LPGA Tour Qualifying Tournament.
The 20-year-old Feng shot a 3-under 69 on LPGA International’s Jones Course to reach 12-under 204.
The top 20 finishers Sunday will earn full LPGA Tour cards, and Nos. 21-45 and ties will receive conditional status.
Cydney Clanton was second after a 69 on the Jones Course.
South Korea’s Julie Yang was another stroke back after a 72 on the Hills Course. — Agencies
