San Diego — Patrick Rodgers showcased impressive golfing skills just as some of the sport’s top players began to struggle on Saturday. He finished the round with a score of 4-under 68, taking a narrow one-stroke lead ahead of the final round at Torrey Pines, where he left behind notable names like Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy.
However, the round wasn’t without its challenges for Rodgers; his only misstep was a gap wedge mishap on the par-4 18th, where he found the water, leading to a scramble that resulted in a bogey. He concluded the day sitting at 8-under 208, putting him one stroke ahead of Denny McCarty, who shot a 71. Ludvig Aberg, after scoring an ace on the third hole, finished with a 70, leaving him another stroke back.
Rodgers, who has shared a golfing journey with stars like Tiger Woods while at Stanford, finds himself on the brink of achieving his first PGA Tour victory. This comeback is particularly poignant, as he has yet to capture a title after 283 attempts since turning professional. The daunting South course at Torrey Pines adds pressure for him as he aims to prove himself in a significant round.
The course proved challenging for both Scheffler, ranked number one in the world, and McIlroy. Scheffler had tied for the lead with a birdie on the fifth hole but stumbled afterward, losing his chance for an easier birdie on the par-5 sixth. He struggled with a wayward tee shot leading to a bogey and later a double bogey on the 14th, ultimately finishing with a score of 76—the worst he has posted in nearly three years.
McIlroy faced a similarly frustrating round, recording a 74 filled with missed opportunities culminating in a three-putt from 12 feet on the par-3 16th. Both players will face each other once again in the final round, albeit earlier than they might have preferred.
The day started bright and sunny, encouraging better rounds before strong winds from the Pacific arrived. Tony Finau managed to capitalize on the conditions, shooting a 67 and moving up the leaderboard after beginning the day nine strokes adrift. He will join Rodgers in the penultimate group on Sunday. Several players, including Patrick Cantlay (68) and Tommy Fleetwood (69), find themselves four strokes behind, while Davis Thompson, initially leading, faltered on the back nine to finish with a 76.
Rodgers, who has long been acquainted with the achievements of peers like Jordan Spieth and Justin Thomas, is also vying for his maiden PGA Tour victory. He has shifted his mindset, focusing less on expectations and more on the joy of playing the game. “It felt like early in my career with the amateur resume that I had, I felt like there was a lot expected of myself internally,” he remarked. “Instead of carrying that weight, I’m now approaching this with a fresh and exciting perspective.”
Despite his bogey on the 18th, where his gap wedge didn’t reach the green, he overcame many challenges throughout his round. Notably, on the back nine, he delivered a standout performance, notably hitting a 4-iron to 15 feet for a birdie on the 12th hole and landing a 3-wood on the green of the par-5 13th, a challenging feat few managed that day. He capped off his round with a remarkable 40-foot birdie putt on the 17th hole before the final slip at the 18th.
Aberg, who played alongside Rodgers, acknowledged his skill. “He played amazing and was great off the tee,” Aberg expressed, noting the difficulty of the course that day. “As soon as you start missing the fairways, it gets pretty tough. It’s a great golf course, it’s a U.S. Open golf course, and it definitely played that way today.”
