KEVIN KISNER DID enough to hang onto his US PGA Championship lead with a one-over 72 at Quail Hollow on Saturday.
Kisner was cruising around the course comfortably through the first 15 holes, but a hook into the water on the par-four 16th led to a double bogey.
He then bogeyed the par-four 18th after hitting a bridge with his second shot to finish his third round at seven under.
Kisner has now held at least a share of the lead after all three rounds this week.
Hideki Matsuyama and Chris Stroud are lurking just one shot back. Matsuyama struggled to find the fairway off the tee, leading to a disappointing two-over 73. But unlike his playing partners, he avoided catastrophe on the final three holes.
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Kevin Kisner is one shot clear heading into Sunday's final round. Debby Wong
Debby Wong
Stroud had momentarily grabbed a share of the lead late in round three, but the unlikely contender bogeyed his final two holes Saturday to fall back to six under for the tournament.
Despite the late fall, Stroud is still in contention after an even-par 71, which was made complete with four birdies and four bogeys.
Playing alongside good friend Rickie Fowler, Justin Thomas shot a two-under 69 to get to five under for the tournament. Thomas found himself in contention at the U.S. Open two months ago after firing a 63 in round three, but he faltered on Sunday. He has a chance to rectify that performance this weekend.
Thomas finished round three with four birdies and two bogeys. He is now seven under since the end of round one.
Louis Oosthuizen joined Thomas at five under with an even-par 71. The former Open champion appeared to injure his wrist hitting off a tree root on the par-four fifth hole, but he decided to keep playing after meeting with a trainer.
Two stars suffered through epic collapses down the stretch Saturday. Fowler was five under for the tournament heading into the 16th, but he finished bogey-double bogey-bogey to fall back to one under.
Jason Day made a massive mess of the 18th. Having just wormed his way back into contention, Day bogeyed the 17th then added insult to injury with a quadruple bogey eight on the final hole.
Day shot a six-over 77, virtually ending his chances of winning a second major this week.
Graham DeLaet led a group of five players at two under by completing a birdie-eagle-eagle-birdie stretch on the back nine. Though he was at one time four over for the tournament, he fought his way back into contention with a 68.
Patrick Reed (69), Gary Woodland (69), Scott Brown (70) and Francesco Molinari (74) are also at two under.
Jordan Spieth (71) is out of contention at three over, as are Rory McIlroy and Dustin Johnson (both four over).
Shane Lowry is also four over after a third round 74.
McIlroy and Lowry struggle as Kevin Kisner retains US PGA lead after steady third round
KEVIN KISNER DID enough to hang onto his US PGA Championship lead with a one-over 72 at Quail Hollow on Saturday.
Kisner was cruising around the course comfortably through the first 15 holes, but a hook into the water on the par-four 16th led to a double bogey.
He then bogeyed the par-four 18th after hitting a bridge with his second shot to finish his third round at seven under.
Kisner has now held at least a share of the lead after all three rounds this week.
Hideki Matsuyama and Chris Stroud are lurking just one shot back. Matsuyama struggled to find the fairway off the tee, leading to a disappointing two-over 73. But unlike his playing partners, he avoided catastrophe on the final three holes.
Stroud had momentarily grabbed a share of the lead late in round three, but the unlikely contender bogeyed his final two holes Saturday to fall back to six under for the tournament.
Despite the late fall, Stroud is still in contention after an even-par 71, which was made complete with four birdies and four bogeys.
Playing alongside good friend Rickie Fowler, Justin Thomas shot a two-under 69 to get to five under for the tournament. Thomas found himself in contention at the U.S. Open two months ago after firing a 63 in round three, but he faltered on Sunday. He has a chance to rectify that performance this weekend.
Thomas finished round three with four birdies and two bogeys. He is now seven under since the end of round one.
Louis Oosthuizen joined Thomas at five under with an even-par 71. The former Open champion appeared to injure his wrist hitting off a tree root on the par-four fifth hole, but he decided to keep playing after meeting with a trainer.
Two stars suffered through epic collapses down the stretch Saturday. Fowler was five under for the tournament heading into the 16th, but he finished bogey-double bogey-bogey to fall back to one under.
Jason Day made a massive mess of the 18th. Having just wormed his way back into contention, Day bogeyed the 17th then added insult to injury with a quadruple bogey eight on the final hole.
Day shot a six-over 77, virtually ending his chances of winning a second major this week.
Graham DeLaet led a group of five players at two under by completing a birdie-eagle-eagle-birdie stretch on the back nine. Though he was at one time four over for the tournament, he fought his way back into contention with a 68.
Patrick Reed (69), Gary Woodland (69), Scott Brown (70) and Francesco Molinari (74) are also at two under.
Jordan Spieth (71) is out of contention at three over, as are Rory McIlroy and Dustin Johnson (both four over).
Shane Lowry is also four over after a third round 74.
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Storm stoppage halts hot runs by Lowry, Day and Matsuyama at PGA
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European Tour Golf Hideki Matsuyama Jason Day. Kevin Kisner Louis Oosthuizen out of contention PGA Tour Rickie Fowler Rory McIlroy Shane Lowry US PGA Championship