Aldrich Potgieter leads Mexico Open by 1 entering final round
Sign up now: Get the biggest sports news in your inbox
Aldrich Potgieter of South Africa plays a shot on the sixth hole during the third round of the Mexico Open.
PHOTO: AFP
VALLARTA – South Africa’s Aldrich Potgieter is feeling cautiously hopeful, after he shot a four-under 67 to maintain the lead through the third round of the Mexico Open at VidantaWorld in Vallarta on Feb 22.
He is at 20-under 193 for the tournament, holding a one-stroke edge on fast-charging Brian Campbell (64).
Germany’s Stephan Jaeger (66) is a further two strokes back at 17 under, Alex Smalley (64) sits at 198 and Ben Griffin (67) and England’s Aaron Rai (68) share fifth place at 199.
Potgieter, 20, is seeking his first PGA Tour victory in his 10th appearance on the circuit.
“Brian was having a great round, so I tried to just stay a little bit ahead of him,” he said.
“It got a little tough throughout the day with the wind a little bit, some pin placements were a little bit more tough, so didn’t make as many putts today.”
A day earlier, his 61 made him the fourth-youngest player with a round of 61 or better on the tour. His lead shrunk from four shots at the beginning of the third round.
“We’ll save it for (Sunday),” Potgieter added, keeping a positive outlook.
Campbell played the last 10 holes in five under, including a birdie on the last hole, to make a late push. He had birdies on the three par-fives on the back nine.
That cut into Potgieter’s lead, which also was reduced with his bogey on No. 17.
That mishap was set up when his tee shot was well off the fairway, though he said the goal was to limit the damage to a bogey in that situation.
Campbell, who had a bogey-free trip around the course in the third round, was focused on playing a steady round.
“Just limiting the mistakes and staying within reach of Aldrich,” he said.
Jaeger is contending for what would be his second victory on the tour. His birdie putt on the 18th gave him a boost before the final round.
Highlights were turned in by Denmark’s Nicolai Hojgaard, who had a pair of chip-in eagles of 62 and 39 yards across a three-hole stretch on his way to a 66. He was at 12 under, tied for ninth place.
There was also Cayman Islands amateur Justin Hastings, a San Diego State golfer, drawing attention. He shot a 65 to join the group tied for ninth place.
“I felt like I played a lot more free (in the third round),” Hastings said, of not worrying about the quest to make the cut. “I think it showed on the scorecard.”
Defending champion Jake Knapp’s 68 put him at six under and tied for 45th. REUTERS