Alex Fitzpatrick is making a name for himself at the Truist Championship. The young golfer fired a brilliant 7-under-par 64 on Saturday to seize the lead heading into the final round in Charlotte. Sitting at 14-under 199, Fitzpatrick holds a one-shot advantage over Kristoffer Reitan, who matched his bogey-free 64, and a two-shot cushion over the red-hot Cameron Young, who carded a stunning 63.
It was a day of high drama at Quail Hollow Club, the same course that hosted the PGA Championship just last May. Fitzpatrick was flawless through 12 holes, reaching 6 under for the round and tying for the lead. He added back-to-back birdies on Nos. 12 and 15 before a brief stumble on the 16th, where he had to scramble from a greenside bunker. Showing his resilience, he rolled in an 8-foot birdie putt on the next hole to regain his momentum.
Cameron Young, fresh off a wire-to-wire victory at the Cadillac Championship in Miami, continued his hot streak. He electrified the crowd with a 28-foot eagle putt on the par-5 seventh hole. His only blemish came on the final hole, but his 63 keeps him firmly in contention.
Nicolai Hojgaard (67) and second-round leader Sunjae Im (70) are tied for fourth at 10 under. Meanwhile, Justin Thomas (69), J.J. Spaun (65), and England's Tommy Fleetwood (70) are knotted for sixth at 9 under. Notably, only Fitzpatrick and Thomas have managed to keep all three of their rounds in the 60s—a testament to their consistency under pressure.
The third round was delayed by morning storms, marking the second weather interruption in three days. But the players didn't let the conditions dampen their spirits.
Meanwhile, in Myrtle Beach, Mark Hubbard is writing his own story at the ONEflight Myrtle Beach Classic. The 36-year-old, still searching for his first PGA Tour title, fired a 7-under 64 to take a one-shot lead over Aaron Rai. Hubbard, who hasn't cracked the top 20 this season, found his groove with four consecutive birdies late in his round to reach 16 under 197.
"I felt like I had some of the best ball control I've had all season, maybe my whole career today," Hubbard said. "But I felt like I was kind of leaving a few out there in the middle of the round." After just two birdies on his first 10 holes, Hubbard's late surge showed the kind of grit that could finally earn him that elusive victory.