Hilton Head, S.C. — Moving day at Harbour Town Links brought a lot of action and a jam-packed leaderboard. Harold Varner III had the best round of the day, shooting an 8-under 63. This allowed him to shoot 22 spots up the leaderboard to the top spot at 11-under par.
Varner Dominates Harbour Town
Varner had the lowest round of the day at 8-under. This was only two shots shy of tying the course record at Harbour Town Golf Links. Varner was fired up during the front nine, giving him a great start to the round. This is where he was able to roll in five birdies. Most of which came from holes four, five and six where he carded back-to-back-to-back birdies.
However, he did not take the lead until his birdie on hole 16. This was the second of another birdie streak where he went back-to-back again on 15 and 16.
The most interesting part of Varner’s round was that his driving was not great but he managed to pull through. He only hit 35.71% of fairways in regulation but hit 83.33% of greens in regulation. Just imagine if he was in the fairways. Varner would have probably been able to get more iron shots closer to the hole, allowing even more birdies. Despite playing from the rough most of the day, Varner had one of the highest strokes gained putting off the field at 3.312 strokes. This was almost two strokes above his week average which is at 1.534 strokes gained.
Tommy Fleetwood Moves Up the Board
Outside of Varner, Tommy Fleetwood had the second lowest round of the day. Fleetwood shot a 7-under 64, to make the biggest move of the day at 34 spots up the leaderboard. Overall, he spaced out his birdies on the card. He had three on the front on holes two, four, and seven. Then on the back he added four more, both back-to-back on 10, 11 and 14, 15. Unlike Varner, Fleetwood was fairly accurate with his driver. He hit 71.43% of fairways in regulation. But his irons were a little off when he only hit 66.67% of greens. This was above his week average, which is 64.81%.
If Fleetwood can keep this play going, there is no reason why he cannot be at the top of the leaderboard early tomorrow and put some pressure on Varner.
Final Round Work Left for Spieth
For the second straight day, Jordan Spieth shot a 3-under 68. However, this could have easily been a 4-under 67, but an unfortunate roll around the cup on 18 caused a bogey.
It is nice to see Spieth dialed back in this week after missing the cut at the Masters. He has been making highlight reel putts and throwing darts througout his outing.
Even though he is making putts, the stats show otherwise. Spieth has lost just over two strokes putting in round three and is averaging just under negative one stroke gained putting this week. This is not normal for him; ever sense he became a household name in 2015 he has been known for his good putting. Where did this go? He has been using the same old Scottie Cameron putter for all these years. Could it be time for a change? Only time will tell.
What to Watch During the Final Round
The leaders, Harold Varner, and Shane Lowry, will tee off at 1:50 p.m. EST. Spieth will tee off at 1:00 p.m. EST, and Fleetwood right after him at 1:10 p.m. EST. A fun group to watch, who aren’t really in contention currently will be Branden Grace and Daniel Berger, who go off at 10:10 a.m. EST.
