"Weekend Fore-cast" prepares you for golf's major tours heading into the weekend. PGA Professional Brendon Elliott, a three-decade industry veteran, provides his insights for RG. In this installment, Elliott looks at the action through three rounds at the wind-swept Farmers Insurance Open.
Harris English Birdies Final 3 Holes to Shoot 66, Taking Lead Going Into Final Round
Harris English wrapped his third round at the Farmers Insurance Open with a spectacular birdie-birdie-birdie finish to card a magnificent 66 and take a one-shot lead going into today's final round. This display starkly contrasted with scoring in Thursday's second round (yes, this week started on Wednesday), where whipping winds were so bad that balls were being pushed around on the greens. Eventually, play was halted due to the high winds, and some players had to finish their second rounds today.
English did most of his work on Friday with the putter, where he led the field in Putts Per Green In Regulation, averaging 1.46 putts per GIR. When the course plays as tough as it has this week, the real separator for English has been his ability to manage the swirling winds and adapt to what Torrey Pines has thrown at him. One stat that illustrates this best is his field-leading Scrambling percentage of 83.33% or 15/18 up and downs on the greens he has missed so far through 54 holes.
Novak One Back on Heels of Own 66
Right behind English, Andrew Novak delivered an equally impressive 66, placing himself just one stroke off the lead. In his third round, Novak had a clean card, going out in 34 with two birdies on the front nine. That set the tone as he played aggressively on the back while avoiding costly mistakes. When the day was done, Novak's 66 got him a spot in the final group heading into the final round.
South African Rookie Positioned to Make Move in Final Round
The dynamic South African rookie Aldrich Potgieter, who made some noise in Wednesday's opening round with a 6-under par 66 only to lose four shots on Thursday's rough, windy day, came roaring back yesterday with a 5-under par 67. He sits in a promising position at 7-under par, two back of English, and is poised to make a significant move during the final round.
Dahmen, Griffin, Schmid, and K.H. Lee Four Back at 5 Under
A pack of formidable contenders—Joel Dahmen, Lanto Griffin, Matti Schmid, and K.H. Lee—find themselves four shots back, each sitting at 5-under-par after the third round. Dahmen, who became a fan favorite through Netflix's Full Swing, just squeaked by in retaining his PGA TOUR card late last season, but so far this season, he seems to be in a good place, both with his game and mindset.
Others to watch in today's final round include my early pick, Hideki Matsuyama, who is six back, and YouTuber and PGA TOUR fan favorite Wesley Bryan, who is five back.
With a tightly bunched leaderboard, The stage is set for a thrilling conclusion to the Farmers Insurance Open. The action starts on ESPN+ at noon Eastern and The Golf Channel at 2:00.
Scottie Returns at Pebble
It's official: Scottie Scheffler is returning to the PGA TOUR next week at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am. This will be his first competition since battling that frustrating hand injury over the holidays that has kept him off the course so far this season. At just 26 years old, the Texan and world number one has been on an incredible upward trajectory, solidifying his status as one of golf’s greats.
Golf undoubtedly missed him while he took the time to heal, but the reports from his management team suggest that the break has worked wonders. He’s feeling refreshed and ready to get back in the swing of things.
Pebble Beach Golf Links, known for its stunning views, serves not only as a beautiful backdrop but also as a venue where PGA TOUR stars mingle with celebrities from various walks of life. For Scottie Scheffler, this tournament presents an excellent opportunity to demonstrate his comeback and remind everyone why he is regarded as one of the brightest talents in golf today. Despite his recent injury and layoff, a recovered Scheffler will surely be the favorite at Pebble Beach.
Brendon Elliott, a distinguished PGA Professional, is best known for his dedication to the growth and development of junior golf. With nearly three decades of experience, Elliott has been recognized multiple times as one of the best instructors, both regionally and nationally.
Elliott's crowning achievement was being named the 2017 PGA of America National Youth Player Development Award Winner, a testament to his exceptional skills and dedication. He is the founder of Little Linksters, an award-winning youth golf academy and nonprofit that works with kids of all abilities to help them develop a passion for golf. His innovative teaching methods and love for the game have made significant impacts on students and the broader golfing community.
Additionally, Brendon, a Golf Writers Association of America member, has become a renowned freelance golf writer, further solidifying his position as a top professional in the industry.
