Tiger Woods took route 66 towards a first major title since 2008 as a late stumble from Brooks Koepka threw the 100th US PGA Championship wide open.
Looking to join Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan, Jack Nicklaus and Woods as the only players to win the US Open and US PGA in the same season, Koepka had raced to the turn in 30 and briefly enjoyed a five-shot lead at Bellerive Country Club.
And although he repaired some of the damage caused by dropped shots on the 14th and 15th with a birdie on the 17th, a third round of 66 left the 28-year-old American on 12 under par, just two shots ahead of former world number one Adam Scott.
Koepka’s lapse also brought many more players into the frame, with halfway leader Gary Woodland, Spain’s Jon Rahm and Rickie Fowler on nine under and Woods four off the pace alongside defending champion Justin Thomas, Ireland’s Shane Lowry, Jason Day, Stewart Cink and Charl Schwartzel.
Tweet of the day
If Koepka pars the last, Tiger will be in the same spot he was going into final day at Carnoustie … tie for sixth, 4 shots behind. If they have fish ‘n’ chips for lunch, it will be REALLY eerie.
— Doug Ferguson (@dougferguson405) August 11, 2018
We can’t be sure about the fish and chips, but Woods did indeed end the day four behind in a tie for sixth.
Shot of the day
Matt Wallace was already enjoying his day alongside three-time major winner Jordan Spieth when he made a hole-in-one on the 16th from 232 yards.
That roar you heard? Matt Wallace aced the 16th.#PGAChamp pic.twitter.com/fiSIS2rAxn
— PGA Championship (@PGAChampionship) August 11, 2018
Round of the day
Adam Scott needed a special invite from the PGA of America to play this week, but a third round of 65 left him just two shots off the lead.
Adam Scott carded 6 birdies and just one bogey on the day.
Currently sits 2nd — 1 shot behind Koepka. pic.twitter.com/9C1QB5y6hY
— PGA Championship (@PGAChampionship) August 11, 2018
Quote of the day
“I said to him down maybe the first hole or second hole, ‘Mate, this is a real privilege for me to be playing with you, because 18 months ago I was on a mini-tour and I worked really hard to where I got to now.’” – Matt Wallace on his excitement at playing alongside Jordan Spieth.
Stat of the day
This will be Adam Scott’s best 54-hole position in a major since he won the 2013 Masters (was solo 3rd).
— Justin Ray (@JustinRayGC) August 11, 2018
The Golf Channel’s Justin Ray highlights how long it has been since Scott has been in contention in a major.
Toughest hole
Tiger Woods may have managed a par for the first time this week, but the 10th hole played as the hardest with 26 bogeys, three double bogeys and a triple bogey from halfway leader Gary Woodland adding up to a scoring average of 4.300.
Easiest hole
In stark contrast, the tee was moved forward to make the par-five 17th play 550 yards and that led to three eagles, 42 birdies and just four bogeys from the 80-man field.
On the slide
On the up
The chances of a controversial winner with Adam Scott just two off the lead. Scott uses a long putter that looks close to involving an “anchored” stroke, something which was banned from January 1, 2016.
