Jhonattan Vegas takes third round lead at 3M Open as he bids for first win since 2017

MIKE COOK, Associated Press

15 minutes ago

Maverick McNealy hits the fairway on the first hole during the third round of the 3M Open golf tournament at the Tournament Players Club, Saturday, July 27, 2024, in Blaine, Minn. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

BLAINE, Minn. (AP) — Jhonattan Vegas birdied six of the last eight holes for an 8-under 63 and a one-stroke lead over Matt Kuchar on Saturday in the 3M Open.

Vegas had a 16-under 197 total at the TPC Twin Cities. The 39-year-old Venezuelan has three PGA Tour victories, the last a successful title defense at the 2017 Canadian Open.

The 46-year-old Kuchar also shot 63, with an eagle from 30 yards on the par-5 18th. He won the last of his nine PGA Tour titles at the 2019 Sony Open.

Maverick McNealy, with another 63, was two strokes behind. Patrick Fishburn, with another 63, was four strokes behind at 12 under with Sahith Theegala (66).

Trailing by four shots to start the day, Vegas birdied the fifth and sixth holes and added three more two-birdie runs on the back nine — holes 11-12, 14-15 and 17-18. He made a 5-footer on the par-3 17th to close the hole on the 18th.

Kuchar missed the cuts in nine of his first 11 events this year and in 11 of 18 events overall. His best finish was a tie for 17th at the Charles Schwab Challenge two months ago.

On Saturday, he three-putted for double bogey on the par-3 fourth, then birdied the next four holes, tapping in for birdie on the 167-yard 17th after a near-ace.

Cam Davis (65), Adam Svensson (66) and Matt NeSmith (70) were five strokes behind at 11 under.

Second-round leader Taylor Pendrith had a double bogey and four bogeys in a 73, leaving him six strokes behind.

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