Billy Horschel leads the field at the Open Championship in Scotland, but Xander Schauffele is one stroke behind heading into Sunday’s final round.
Schauffele, the native San Diegan who won his first major, the PGA Championship, in May, is tied for second with five other golfers, Daniel Brown, Sam Burns, Russell Henley, Thriston Lawrence and Justin Rose.
Both Horschel and Schauffele shot 2-under 69 Saturday. Horschel, seeking his first major win, was at 4-under for the tournament and maintained his lead despite Burns and Lawrence each posting third-round scores of 6-under 65.
They, along with Henley, shot up the leaderboard as late heavy rains harassed golfers attempting to finish their rounds at Royal Troon Golf Club. One who suffered the most? Shane Lowry, whose 6-over 77 to drop him to 1-under for the tournament.
“It turned into an absolute survival test out there,” Rose told PGATour.com.
Schauffele on Saturday had four birdies. In the opening round the San Diego State alum also posted a 2-under 69, and in the second round a 1-over 72.
“It’s a packed leaderboard,” he told the Associated Press. “and it’s going to be one of those where you just really have to keep your head down and try to worry about yourself.”
He is set to tee off in the third-to-last group. Final round coverage starts at 4 a.m. on NBC7.
