WASHINGTON • Sweden's David Lingmerth stumbled to a three-over par 73 on Saturday but clung to a one-stroke lead over American Daniel Summerhays after the third round of the US PGA National.
World No. 99 Lingmerth had two birdies, three bogeys and a double bogey over the 7,107-yard TPC Potomac layout to stand on seven-under 203 after 54 holes.
"Long, hard fought day for me and here I am," Lingmerth said.
"I'm still right where I need to be for tomorrow and I'm not too worried about the way I played today. I think I can come back tomorrow better."
Lingmerth, seeking his second PGA title after taking the 2015 Memorial, won a 2012 developmental tour event on this course, hosting its first PGA event since 2006.
And he is chasing his first wire-to-wire victory.
"It's a situation I haven't previously been in," Lingmerth added.
"I haven't had this scenario in my career, but I'm feeling like I'm up for the challenge. I think it's a great opportunity."
World No. 88 Summerhays shot 70 to stand second with compatriot Spencer Levin firing the day's low round, 65, to reach third on 205.
Severe thunderstorms caused a 91-minute delay and together with afternoon heat provided tougher conditions for the leaders.
Lingmerth opened with a bogey, but birdied the par-five second after dropping his third shot four feet from the cup.
He then found water off the fourth tee and made a double bogey, trimming his edge to one shot.
"Got off to a bit of a rough start," said Lingmerth.
"Missed a couple tee shots to the left, which is something I don't usually do, and it maybe got me a little unnerved with tee balls for the rest of the day because I didn't hit as many fairways as I usually do."
Lingmerth began the back nine with a bogey, taking five shots to reach the green after finding rough, native grass and a bunker.
He answered with a birdie at the 299-yard par-four 14th, nearly driving the green and leaving his second shot inches from the cup.
But Lingmerth, who began the tournament with back-to-back 65s, made a bogey at the par-three 17th, finding a bunker off the tee and missing a five-foot par putt.
Levin, the world No. 369 who has not managed a top-10 finish in more than a year, birdied three of the last six holes to move into contention for his first PGA victory, making six birdies in all.
"My putter was hot," he said. "I was really happy with the way I rolled it."
AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
