July 03, 2016: Firstone Country Club has been a stern test this week. Jason Day and Scott Piercy are leading the pack at 5-under through 54 holes. Anirban Lahiri continued to produce solid golf through the windy conditions in Ohio. The Indian shot three over 73 in the third round, lying in T30 with Zach Johnson and Marcus Fraser.
Lahiri was set back by a bogey at the par-3 fifth hole, but he responded immediately to set the score right.
He drove 310 yards to the left fairway before landing his second shot just over 13 feet from the pin. Anirban sank in the putt with a steady hand to get back to even for the round.
Anirban added another birdie from 16 feet on 8th hole but made five at the par-4 ninth hole to go out in an even 35 strokes.
Back to back bogeys at the 13th and 14th and another at the 17th accounted for his three over effort for the round.
Anirban is five over at 215 through 54 holes. Zach Johnson and Fraser made 69 each to gain five spots and joined Anirban in T30. The group is ten shots off the pace at the front.
Piercy made 69 in the first and second rounds and went two better on Saturday. His 67 helped him up the order, climbing into a tie for the lead at 5-under 205.
Piercy has three PGA TOUR victories and will be chasing a fourth on Sunday. “I know I can do it,” Piercy said. “It’s just doing it on a consistent basis like a Jordan or a Jason and those guys.”
But Jason Day was far from his best, generously spraying balls all around the place. The world No.1 was effective at scrambling for par and will be happy to hunt from the front on Sunday.
