Brian Harman leads by three strokes at the Texas Open
Sign up now: Get the biggest sports news in your inbox
SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS - APRIL 05: Leader Brian Harman of the United States playing his shot from the 18th tee during the third round of the Valero Texas Open 2025 at TPC San Antonio on April 5 in San Antonio, Texas. He shot an even-par 72 to take a three-shot lead after the third round.
PHOTO: AFP
Follow topic:
LOS ANGELES – Former British Open champion Brian Harman battled through a rocky start to shoot an even-par 72 and take a three-shot lead after the third round of the PGA Tour Texas Open on April 5.
The American’s 12-under 204 puts him in pole position to claim the fourth PGA Tour win of his career, with Andrew Novak alone in second place after carding a three-under 69.
Tom Hoge is a further shot back after his 68, while Keith Mitchell is five off the lead following a 73. Finland’s Sami Valimaki (70) and Japan’s Ryo Hisatsune (73) are on 210, alongside Chad Ramey (70).
Harman, who started the day four shots clear of the field after a six-under 66, was in trouble early on at TPC San Antonio, making bogeys on his second and fourth holes.
But the 38-year-old – who is chasing his first tournament win since triumphing in the 2023 British Open at Royal Liverpool – regrouped impressively to stop the bleeding.
He rattled off nine straight pars before making his first birdie of the day, brilliantly chipping out of a greenside bunker on the par-five 14th to within inches of the cup to leave himself with a tap-in.
After two more pars, Harman dropped to level par for the round with a birdie on the par-four 17th, with another sublime bunker shot setting up a five-footer that he duly rolled in.
Harman had an opportunity to dip under par for the round on the 18th green, but rolled his 12-foot birdie putt just past the cup.
“I knew I’d get some birdie chances on that back nine, just had to kind of survive the front, there’s some really tough holes,” he said afterwards. “Got out of position a few times off the tee and really had to scramble.”
Harman is bracing for a dogfight in the final round as he attempts to close out victory.
“I know that I can do it, but the guys that are behind me, they’re hungry, man, they’re coming,” Harman said.
“A lot of guys that haven’t won, guys that have won a couple of times, good players, so I’ll have to play really well tomorrow.”
Novak’s 69 came courtesy of a huge slice of good fortune at the par-three 16th, where his five-iron tee shot cannoned off a spectator grandstand and back onto the green to present a short birdie putt.
“I didn’t expect it to kick back and go on the green, that was obviously ridiculous,” the 30-year-old said. “Not the best swing and sometimes golf rewards you.” AFP
