Patton Kizzire fired a 5-under 67 on Saturday to pull away from the rest of the pack after three rounds of action at the Procore Championship in Napa, Calif.
Kizzire entered the day atop the leaderboard with a one-stroke lead over David Lipsky at Silverado Resort’s North Course, and he saw that advantage grow to four shots by carding six birdies against one bogey.
After missing the cut at six straight events at one point earlier this season, Kizzire enters Sunday’s final round at 18-under 198 for the tournament.
“I think what was wrong, you couldn’t see it in the stats,” Kizzire said of his rut, which lasted over two months. “I think the consistency comes from a solid mental foundation and allowing yourself to compete. So I’ve been working on that and that’s been a huge boost for me.”
Kizzire had few problems on Saturday, with a bogey at the par-4 10th being his lone hiccup. He recovered nicely, though, recording three birdies over the final eight holes to close out his round.
“The greens were fantastic. The maintenance crew has done a fantastic job, the agronomy team has done a fantastic job. They’re rolling really nice,” said Kizzire, who also rattled off three straight birdies at Nos. 3-5. “I’m seeing the greens well and putting it on the line, it’s holding. This is a golf course I really enjoy playing and I’m looking forward to (Sunday).”
Lipsky went 2 under in the third round, getting held back by back-to-back bogeys at Nos. 11 and 12. He logged four birdies, three of which came over the first seven holes.
“I really didn’t have my best today,” Lipsky said. “You know, over the course of a week, days like this happen. Made some really nice putts coming down the stretch and hung in there and kept myself in it and that’s all I can ask for when I don’t have my A-game from tee to green.”
Four golfers are breathing down Lipsky’s neck, as Greyson Sigg (66 on Saturday), Patrick Fishburn (70) and Canadians Mackenzie Hughes (66) and Corey Conners (66) are tied for third, five shots off the lead.
Wilson Furr finished with low-round honors, posting an 8-under 64 on Saturday. He is T7 with Sahith Theegala (69) and Ben Silverman of Canada (65). Each member of that trio is six strokes behind Kizzire.
