ST. SIMONS ISLAND, Ga. (AP) — Maverick McNealy steadied himself after a rough start Saturday with a 4-under 66 and caught Vince Whaley in a wild third round at the RSM Classic in which a half-dozen players had at least one part of lead.
McNealy appeared to have the advantage when he hit a wedge on the final hole that rolled just short of the cup and settled at 8 feet. He missed the putt, still in excellent position to earn his first PGA Tour victory.
Whaley, also winless on tour, birdied the 18th for a 63 and will play in the final group for the first time on the PGA Tour. McNealy, who joined him at 14-under 198, also shared the 54-hole lead in 2021 at the season opener in Napa, California.
Whaley was playing with a sense of freedom that not everyone has at the final PGA Tour event this year. He was playing on medical extension and completed the necessary points in July. The next step was to finish in the top 125 in the FedEx Cup. He achieved that last week with a tie for fifth in the Bermuda Championship.
Everything else seems like a bonus, and there could be no greater advantage than a victory to advance to the Masters and PGA Championship, accompanied by a two-year exemption.
“I really have nothing to lose and everything to gain, so I’m just excited about this opportunity,” Whaley said.
There are many opportunities before the final round. Daniel Berger shot a 63 and made his way into the final group, just two shots behind. He was tied with former Sea Island winner Mackenzie Hughes (65), Michael Thorbjornsen (67) and Patrick Fishburn (69).
Berger and Thorbjornsen were among those who arrived at Sea Island outside the top 125, the number required to maintain full tour status next year. Thorbjornsen has already locked that in as the No. 1 player in the PGA Tour University Rankings.
Berger needed a big week and he kept his promises, even if he says he doesn’t feel any stress. Berger missed 19 months with a back injury that he feared could end his career. He is now healthy enough to have played 27 times this year.
“No matter when I play well, I’ll be fine,” said Berger, who competed in the 2021 Ryder Cup at Whistling Straits. “When you miss that much time, it takes a little while to come back. It’s just a matter of patience and eventually good things happen.”
Henrik Norlander and Hayden Springer, also on the wrong side of No. 125, each shot 63 and were among those tied for 12th, a position that would currently move them into the top 125.
Joel Dahmen, who had to sink a 5-foot putt on Friday to qualify, shot 70 and was tied for 61st. He is at No. 124 and his future depends on a big ride on Sunday, as well as the performance of Thorbjornsen, Berger, Norlander and Springer.
Closer to the top, eight players were separated by three shots. That includes Florida State sophomore and No. 1 amateur in the world Luke Clanton, who already has three top-10 finishes on the PGA Tour and was looking for another.
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