Keegan Bradley struggled on Saturday, making eight birdies but also six bogeys, and closed with a 70 to reach 12-under and take a one-shot lead at the BMW Championship.
“It was tough out there today,” said Bradley. “It was really windy, a lot of elevated tees that were into the wind, which makes it really tough. Proud of the way I fought today. I played some brilliant golf but I hit also some terrible shots, too. I guess that’s the way of the world.
“I told myself after those three bogeys in a row that I was either tied for the lead or maybe one back. I don’t even know. I would have been happy with that to start the week this late in the tournament. Kept trying to tell myself that. I really hit quality shots coming in after that.”
The American entered the week at No. 50 in the FedExCup standings, receiving the final spot in this week’s 50-player field. He is projected to move to No. 4 and seeks to reach the Tour Championship for the sixth time.
Australia’s Adam Scott, who held the overnight lead, moved down into second place at 11-under after carding a 74 featuring just three birdies, three bogeys and a double bogey at the par-4 3rd hole.
“I kind of felt like I made a meal of that, and I didn’t feel like I did that much wrong. A couple of drives were just not quite right, and a three-putt, and all of a sudden I’m kind of chasing,” said Scott.
“I really struggled mostly on the greens today. They were just so different from yesterday’s round speed-wise and firmness and look and everything. Felt like I was on a different course almost, and I just battled that most of the round.
“The good shots I hit, I didn’t really get the reward. I’m in a good spot in the end of it to be one back.”
Scott has won fourteen times on the PGA Tour but a win on Sunday would be his first since the 2020 Genesis Invitational. He seeks to reach the Tour Championship for the 10th time in the FedExCup era and the first since 2022. He failed to qualify for the FedExCup Playoffs in 2022-23 for the first time since the inception of the FedExCup in 2007.
Sweden’s Ludvig Åberg (71) and Alex Noren (70) are tied in third place at 10-under.
Americans Xander Schauffele (67) and Wyndham Clark (69) share fifth place at 7-under.
The top 30 players at the conclusion of the BMW Championship will advance to the Tour Championship.
Related: Jiyai Shin takes 54-hole lead
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