Thorbjorn Olesen got three eighths and shot a four under 67 on Saturday in the 3M Open for a share of the third round lead with Akshay Bhatia.
Olesen, the 35-year-old Danish player who led after the second round, used a six-iron of 209-yard eighth at TPC Twin Cities.
“It was a back pin. It just felt like I couldn’t get there with a seven, so we went for a soft six-iron,” said Olesen. “Of course, the slope took the slope perfectly, a big bonus to watch it go in. It’s been a long time since I’ve had one.”
Bhatia had a 63 to send first at 18 below.
“I tiled in twice, made a lot of putts,” Bhatia said. “A lot of putts that are lipped in, which was really nice to see. All in all, just a pretty solid round. Felt like I was doing a pretty good job of playing out of the rough today. I didn’t hit it very well from tee, but fortunately green is soft enough where you can do it.”
Kurt Kitayama matched the tournament and the course record with a 60 that ended before Olesen and Jake Knapp went out in the last group to get to 17 under. Fellow Japanese player Takumi Kanaya (65) was also 17 under with Knapp (67) and Sam Stevens (66).
Olesen followed it hole-in-one with a bogey of nine. On the back, he birded, 13 and 14, three-pitched on the 15th for bogey, the bird the short pair four 16. And paired the last two. The eight-time European tour winner is chasing the first due to Tour title.
“It’s obviously different, and it’s a great opportunity,” Olesen said. “I don’t want to lie, there will be a lot of pressure, but I felt that in my career I have treated pretty well with pressure. Obviously, victories on the DP World Tour, but also Ryder Cups.”
Bhatia, 23-year-old California plays with two PGA Tour victories, tiled in from 42 meters to Birdie on the fifth and from 55 feet for another birdie on the 11th.
“I’m just trying to play solid golf and hopefully the cards will fall tomorrow,” Bhatia said.
Kitayama matched the tournament brand set by Adam Svensson in the first round. Paul Goodos also has a share of the course record and shoots 60 in 2017 3M Championship on PGA Tour Champions. Kitayama had 12 birdies and a bogey. He played front nine in seven under 28.
“I was just about to go out there,” Kitayama said. “I don’t think you really have a number that goes out in someone round just kind of take what you can get.”
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