Sepp Straka, playing at La Quinta, closed with a bogey-free 64 to reach 23-under and take a four-shot lead at The American Express. 193 marks his best career 54-hole position.

“It was very different [from the Stadium Course on Friday],” said Straka. “Honestly, off the tee it’s a little more, I guess, a little tighter. It’s not as much penalty areas out here as there is at Stadium, but you still have to drive it really well. I did that great today. Iron play was not as good today as yesterday, had to make a lot of putts, fortunately the putter was really hot, especially early in the round.

“I think Stadium’s the type of course where no lead’s safe. I think my first win I got at Honda it’s a very similar golf course, and there I think five shots back at the start of the day. So there’s no lead is safe, you just got to keep hitting your spots, and you really got to strike the ball well out there, so that’s really what I’m looking for tomorrow is just a good solid ball-striking round.”

The Austrian is one of two players still bogey-free after three rounds, the other is Taylor Moore (T10). He leads all players this week with 23 birdies.

Straka has won twice in 168 starts on the PGA Tour but this is his first career 54-hole lead/co-lead on Tour.

Overnight co-leader and 2007 champion Charley Hoffman from the USA signed for a bogey-free 69 at the Stadium Course for a share of second place at 19-under.

Fellow American Justin Lower and Australian Jason Day closed with rounds of 68 and 67 respectively to take a share of second place at 19-under.

The Philippines’ Rico Hoey who held a share of the lead overnight had a difficult day at the Stadium Course making just two birdies and four birdies for a 74 and moved down into T17 at 14-under.

*

The American Express, the third event of the 2025  Season and second Full-Field Event, marks the second opportunity for players to earn FedExCup points towards the Aon Swing 5 with entry into each of the next two Signature Events (AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, The Genesis Invitational).

The Aon Next 10 and Aon Swing 5 are eligibility pathways for players, not already qualified, to play their way into Signature Events via the FedExCup standings.

The top five players, not otherwise exempt, who earn the most FedExCup points during the Sony Open in Hawaii, The American Express and Farmers Insurance Open will qualify for the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, while the top five players not otherwise exempt who earn the most FedExCup points during those three events and the WM Phoenix Open, will qualify for The Genesis Invitational.

The Aon Next 10 for the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am and The Genesis Invitational was determined through the 2024 FedExCup Fall standings.

Related: Grade “A” Architecture – Royal Dublin Golf Club

Founded in 1885 and located on Bull Island in Dublin, the only UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in a capital city.