Advantage Kisner as the stars struggle to tame Quail Hollow
NCG rounds up the best of day three from Quail Hollow, including meltdowns, eagles galore and more commentary gold from Peter Alliss…
As Quail Hollow got the better of many of the world’s greatest golfers during a testing third round, it’s Kevin Kisner who has emerged from the pack to lead with just 18 holes left to play.
James Broadhurst rounds up the best moments from day three…
So what happened?
At 7-under-par, Kevin Kisner will take a one-shot lead into the final round of the PGA Championship after carding a 1-over round of 72.
Fellow American Chris Stroud and Japan’s Hideki Matsuyama are a shot back on 6-under, while Justin Thomas and Louis Oosthuizen, both on 5-under, will also be heavily fancied to make a push on the final day.
It could have been a more comfortable cushion for Kisner but a hooked shot into the water on the 16th led to a double bogey. Then a wayward approach at 18 left him on the wrong side of the creek. But a smart chip to the far side of the green meant he escaped with just a single dropped shot at the last.
This was a common theme throughout the day as the majority of players in the top half of the leaderboard struggled.
Matsuyama was the joint-leader heading into the third day but dropped two shots as he failed to follow up on his sensational round of 64.
Jason Day’s hopes of a second PGA Championship crown look to have gone up in smoke after a disastrous quadruple bogey on the 18th. He will start the final day seven shots back.
Meanwhile, Jordan Spieth’s Grand Slam dream is on hold for now despite an improved score of 71 to take him to 3-over. The Open champion admitted afterwards that he faces an uphill battle to ever complete his Grand Slam. He said: “The PGA Championship I think is going to be the toughest for me. If we look historically back on my career, I think I will play this tournament worse than the other three majors just in the way that it’s set up.”
Feel-good moment of the day
On a day of slow movement on the leaderboard, there was still some breathtaking golf shots round a tricky Quail Hollow.
Bryson DeChambeau and Graham DeLaet both notched two eagles apiece during their rounds.
DeLaet carded his efforts on the 14th and 15th holes, while DeChambeau’s eagles landed on the 10th and 14th.
Here’s a look at DeChambeau’s exquisite shots…
"Stand tall, swing wide" #PGAChamp pic.twitter.com/MCyIz1DovQ
— PGA Championship (@PGAChampionship) August 12, 2017
Two eagles in five holes ??
Just the second time 26 years a player has carded two eagles in a #PGAChamp round. pic.twitter.com/32r9uYRZbX
— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) August 12, 2017
Spare a thought for…
Jon Rahm. The Spaniard was 5-under through 14 holes and making huge strides up the leaderboard until a short missed putt derailed his round – and almost certainly his title chances.
The Irish Open champion squandered what seemed to be a routine par on the 15th and then followed that up with a double bogey on both the 16th and 18th holes to slide back down the standings.
Best shots of the day
Graham DeLaet almost bags a hole-in-one… on a par 4!
Lipping out for a hole-in-one ?
On a par 4 ? pic.twitter.com/PKV42BWIuf
— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) August 12, 2017
Eagle watch for Robert Streb on the par-4 12th…
Just perfect ??#PGAChamp pic.twitter.com/5DUWyvJCva
— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) August 12, 2017
Are you just going to chip out onto the fairway, Louis?
Nah…
"Look at this shot! Are you kidding?" #PGAChamp pic.twitter.com/fkxRDDEO5R
— PGA of America (@PGA) August 12, 2017
How did this not drop for the Open champion?
Oh-so-close for @JordanSpieth at the third #PGAChamp ? pic.twitter.com/j416nk40YJ
— PGA of America (@PGA) August 12, 2017
Worst shot of the day
Unfortunately for Rickie Fowler, it is becoming an all-too-familiar sight to see the American’s major challenge fall short.
This double bogey on the 17th has left his chances of lifting the Wanamaker Trophy hanging by a thread…
"Things have turned quickly for Fowler."
Rickie's tee shot on 17 finds the water. pic.twitter.com/Zr8pcfnyWE
— PGA of America (@PGA) August 12, 2017
Stats of the day
No surprise 1st hole @ Quail Hollow is playing the toughest @ PGA. After 54 holes, it would also rank as 3rd toughest on Tour this season.
— Rex Hoggard (@RexHoggardGC) August 12, 2017
Jason Day: 1st career score of 8 or worse on any hole in a major championship
— Justin Ray (@JustinRayGC) August 12, 2017
Photo of the day
It may have left Louis Oosthuizen with a sore arm but this recover shot on the 2nd hole to save par was sublime from the 2010 Open champion…
Best dressed
Rory McIlroy gets our nod of approval for this green and beige number…
Dressed in the dark
When there is a major Tipp-Ex explosion in your suitcase…
Quote of the day
Peter Alliss on JB Holmes: “He looks like a good guy to have with you down a dark alley at night.” Whatever floats your boat, Peter…
Woods pleads guilty to reckless driving
All the Gear: What’s in the bags of our past PGA champions?
Is this the end of Phil Mickelson as a PGA Tour force?
Keep up to date with all the latest from Quail Hollow on our dedicated PGA Championship site
