Keegan Bradley, Grayson Murray share US PGA Tour lead in Hawaii

LOS ANGELES – Former PGA Championship winner Keegan Bradley closed with back-to-back birdies to grab a share of the third-round lead alongside Grayson Murray on Jan 13 at the Sony Open in Honolulu.

The American had eight birdies in his seven-under 63 and said none were more important than the closing two – a seven-footer at the par-three 17th and a two-putt from 42 feet at the par-five 18th.

“Those were crucial holes to finish up the day and hopefully get in the last group,” Bradley said, after signing for a 14-under total of 196 at the Waialae Country Club.

He was joined at the top by Murray, who had four birdies and a five-foot eagle at the par-five ninth in his bogey-free 64.

The leading duo had a one-shot lead over Sam Stevens, who carded a 63 in the first full-field event of the PGA Tour season.

Another five players were a further two shots back on 199, including Chris Kirk, who won the season-opening Sentry tournament and is trying to join Ernie Els and Justin Thomas as the only players to sweep the two Hawaiian events in the same year.

Bradley, who won two of his six tour titles last season, admitted the crowded leaderboard was nerve-racking but fun.

“It’s a tricky thing because you can’t be staring at the leaderboard all day,” he said. “If you make a bogey or a few pars in a row, you can go from leading to 12th in a second.

“I’m trying to just worry about myself. If I go out and shoot a good round tomorrow, it’s going to be tough to beat.”

Despite the jammed leaderboard, Bradley said he had a relatively smooth day.

“Today was one of those days when I had great numbers. I could see every shot,” he said. “I wasn’t very anxious on that many shots, which is super rare for me.”

Murray, who claimed his only PGA Tour title at the Barbasol Championship in his rookie season in 2017, was also happy with his round.

The 30-year-old, who has been open about battling alcohol abuse and fought his way back after a motor scooter accident in Bermuda in 2022, said he has kept his career going with the support of friends, family and colleagues.

“Right when I try to give up, someone gives me a little more inspiration, saying, ‘Hey, you got it, you can do it’,” said Murray, who worked his way back through the developmental Korn Ferry Tour.

“Those are the people close to me whom I really lean on in hard times. I’ve just got to keep pushing through. That’s the only way I know how.”

South Korean An Byeong-hun (68) was among the group in fourth but his fellow second-round co-leaders – Austin Eckroat (69) slipped to joint ninth on 200 while China’s Carl Yuan (70) fell even further to tie for 13th (201).

Meanwhile, on the DP World Tour, England’s Tommy Fleetwood carded a four-under 67 to finish on 19-under 265 overall, helping him win the Dubai Invitational by a stroke over Rory McIlroy (67) and Thriston Lawrence (64) on Jan 14.

McIlroy’s birdie on the 17th put him on 19-under overall for the solo lead, but he bogeyed the final hole after finding water and Fleetwood held his nerves for a birdie and victory. AFP, REUTERS