Las Vegas resident Doug Ghim has notched 22 birdies through 52 holes this week, the most of any player in the field at the time of the suspension of play. He co-leads the Shriners Children’s Open by one shot at 15-under.
Ghim hit 17 of 17 greens in regulation in round three when play was suspended. He has previously hit 18 greens in regulation twice in his career (2023 3M Open/R2, 2021 Rocket Mortgage Classic/R1).
Following eight consecutive pars to begin the third round fellow American J.T. Poston holed an eagle putt from 3 feet, 5 inches at the par-5 9th for his third eagle of the week (No. 16 in R1 and R2) and added four additional pars before play was suspended to take a share of the lead.
“Conditions will be pretty easy. I think you saw that with some of the scores,” said Poston. “Guys are making birdies. So I think it’s just trying to stay aggressive but also stay patient if the putts don’t fall early because there is a lot of holes left.”
American Kurt Kitayama made six birdies in seven holes from the 9th to close with a 65 and move into a share of third place at 14-under
Gary Woodland also closed with a 65 for a share of third place and finds himself in contention for the first time since undergoing brain surgery in September 2023 to remove a lesion.
“I feel a lot better for one,” said Woodland. “That’s a huge help. But I’ve seen some signs. I’ve been back with [swing coach] Randy Smith for a couple months now. I am starting to drive it better, iron play, controlling the golf ball like I haven’t in a long time, which is nice. Then putts start going in, start putting some good scores up.
“I’m excited and happy to be here — and really happy to finish tonight so I can get some sleep tomorrow.”
Also tied in third place are American Harris English and Argentinian Alejandro Tosti who are both f4-under for the round with four holes to play.
The third round began at 12:30 p.m. PT in groups of three off two tees and was suspended due to darkness at 6:08 p.m. with 30 players remaining. Round three will resume at 8 a.m. Sunday. Final-round tee times will be approximately 10 -11:50 a.m. in groups of three off two tees.
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The 2024 Shriners Children’s Open is the fourth event of the FedExCup Fall, a group of eight tournaments played after
the TTour Championship that finalizes eligibility for the 2025 PGA TOUR Season.
The Aon Next 10 is an eligibility pathway to earn access into Signature Events (outside of The Sentry), recognizing the
top 10 players, not otherwise exempt, from the FedExCup standings. Nos. 51-60 in the final FedExCup Fall standings at
