Los Angeles (AFP) – Bubba Watson swooped for an eagle and five birdies in a six-under par 65 at Riviera Country Club on Saturday to seize a one-shot lead going into the final round of the Genesis Open.
Two-time Masters champion Watson is also a two-time winner at Riviera, claiming the most recent of his nine US PGA Tour titles here in 2016.
His 10-under par total of 203 put him one stroke in front of American Patrick Cantlay, who rolled in a 55-foot birdie putt at the 18th to cap a 69 for nine-under 204.
Cantlay, a Southern California native seeking his second US PGA Tour title, broke free of a chasing pack.
Australian Cameron Smith, Northern Ireland’s Graeme McDowell and Americans Kevin Na and Tony Finau shared third on 205.
McDowell, who shared the overnight lead with Cantlay, carded a one-under par 70. Na posted a 67, Finau a 68 and Smith climbed up the leaderboard with a bogey-free six-under par 65.
Watson, energized perhaps by his appearance in the NBA All-Star Celebrity Game at Staples center on Friday night, opened his round with a bang.
His second shot at the par-five first rolled within 18 inches of the pin to give him a tap-in eagle.
He would add four more birdies before his only bogey of the day at the 15th, which he followed with a birdie at 17.
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