Bubba Watson holed out with a 7-iron for eagle, made seven birdies and tied the course record with a 9-under 63 on Saturday to take a two-shot lead over Paul Casey going into the final round of the Hero World Challenge.
Watson’s tied the record at Albany Golf Club that had been set 10 minutes earlier by Casey, who had nine birdies on a clean card.
The tee times were moved up to avoid afternoon thunderstorms, and most of the 18-man field had its way with the Ernie Els design.
“As we’re seeing, when there’s no wind — light wind — we can score,” Watson said. “We’re all good players, don’t get me wrong. We’re all top 50 in the world. But with no wind, this golf course is a little bit easier to make birdies. Obviously, 20 mile-an-hour winds, this golf course becomes a beast.”
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This is the first time the World Challenge is being played at Albany after one year at Isleworth and 14 years at Sherwood Country Club in California.
Spieth, in a three-way tie for the lead with Jimmy Walker and Bill Haas at the start of the day, had a 68 and fell four shots behind.
India’s Anirban Lahiri ran out of luck with a round of 73 pushed back by three bogeys. India’s top ranked golfer admitted he would have done better in this field where he is currently lying 15th. The year has been a great one for Lahiri who wrapped up the PGA Championship at Whistling Straits tied 5th. “There have been ups and downs. There have been number of moments I would like to have back and redo. You learn more from your mistakes or your bad results,” he said in an interview to golfingindian.com.
