The Wake Forest reunion is heating up at Quail Hollow.
Alex Fitzpatrick sits atop the Truist Championship leaderboard after a scintillating 7-under 64 on Saturday, moving to 14 under and taking a one-shot lead into the final round. But lurking just behind him is a familiar face—former Wake Forest teammate Cameron Young, who fired a 63 to climb within two shots and chase his third victory of the year.
Their connection runs deep. Young was a senior when Fitzpatrick arrived as a freshman in 2018-19, and the veteran quickly took the newcomer under his wing. "I have nothing but good things to say about Cam," Fitzpatrick said. "He kind of really looked after me." That bond has only grown since both turned professional.
Fitzpatrick's meteoric rise is worth noting. He broke through on the DP World Tour with a win at the Hero Indian Open in late March, then captured his first PGA Tour victory two weeks ago at the Zurich Classic—teaming with his older brother, Matt, to earn not only the trophy but a Tour card and spots in remaining signature events, including next week's PGA Championship. Young was among the first to text congratulations both times.
"I didn't think he was thinking he would see me in the next two weeks," Fitzpatrick said with a smile, reflecting on the quick turnaround from the Zurich to the Truist.
Last week at the Cadillac Championship, Young got the better of their mini-rivalry, winning the event and beating Fitzpatrick by 10 shots. But Fitzpatrick responded with a T-9 finish there and now has a golden opportunity to flip the script at Quail Hollow, a course that demands precision and nerve.
Kristoffer Reitan, part of a runner-up team at the Zurich, sits one back at 13 under after a steady round. Young, meanwhile, might have been even closer if not for a bogey on the par-4 18th, where he drove into the right trees and had to chip out, missing a chance to tie Rory McIlroy's course record of 61. "My speed on the greens was awful," Young admitted, though his scorecard tells a different story—seven birdies, an eagle at the par-5 10th, and just that one slip.
Sunday's final round promises drama: a former Wake Forest mentor and protégé separated by just two shots, with a title and major momentum on the line. For fans of the game, this is the kind of storyline that makes golf unforgettable.