Korean star K.H. Lee fired a 5-under 67 in the third round of the AT&T Byron Nelson on Saturday to keep himself within striking reach of a successful title defence.
The 30-year-old Lee overcame an opening bogey at TPC Craig Ranch with six birdies to end the day where he had started in tied sixth place, and four back of leader Sebastian Munoz of Colombia. Munoz carded a 66 to lead on 21-under, with hometown hero Jordan Spieth a shot back following a 64.
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Japan’s Hideki Matsuyama will enter the final round in tied 18th position following a 69 while another Korean, Joohyun Kim shot a 66 for T21. Kiradech Aphibarnrat of Thailand endured a disappointing 74.
Related: KH Lee in hunt to join illustrious names at AT&T Byron Nelson
Lee is hoping to join an illustrious group of players – Sam Snead (1957-58), Jack Nicklaus (1970-71) and Tom Watson (1978-80) – to successfully defend the AT&T Byron Nelson title, and was delighted to have kept himself firmly in the title hunt.
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“I played well and it’s good to still be in position to try and win this again. The golf course is giving out a lot of birdies as you can see from the scores and I’ll need to keep playing aggressively when I can and hope to make some putts tomorrow,” said Lee, who stands on 19-under 199 through 54 holes.
Leaderboard into the final round @ATTByronNelson:
1. @JSMunozGolf -21
2. @JordanSpieth -20
3. @JoacoNiemann -19
T4. @JamesHahnPGA -18
T4. @JustinThomas34
T6. K.H Lee -17
T6. @CA_Schwartzel
T6. @RyanPalmerPGA
T9. 3 tied -16— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) May 14, 2022
It has been a welcome return to form for Lee who has yet to secure a top-10 this season after finishing a career high 31st on the FedExCup standings in the 2020-21 campaign. He recently started work again with former swing coach Chris Mayson and mental trainer Jung Gu Reen, and hired a new caddie in Dan Parratt, who previously worked with countryman. Byeong Hun An.
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“The changes that I’ve made recently have given me renewed energy and I feel pretty good about how I’m playing right now,” said Lee.
Munoz grabbed his fourth career 54-hole lead on TOUR thanks to an eagle two, five birdies and one bogey on his card for his 21-under total but he will need to fend off the likes of Spieth on Sunday. Spieth is seeking a second straight victory on TOUR as he won the RBC Heritage last month in his last start.
PGA Tour
