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Sahith Theegala wins the Fortinet Championship in Napa for his first PGA Tour victory

Sahith Theegala reacts on the 18th green of the Silverado Resort North Course after winning the Fortinet Championship PGA golf tournament in Napa, Calif., Sunday, Sept. 17, 2023. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg)

Sahith Theegala hugs his father Muralidhar Theegala on the 18th green of the Silverado Resort North Course after winning the Fortinet Championship PGA golf tournament in Napa, Calif., Sunday, Sept. 17, 2023. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg)

Sahith Theegala kisses his trophy on the 18th green of the Silverado Resort North Course after winning the Fortinet Championship PGA golf tournament in Napa, Calif., Sunday, Sept. 17, 2023. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg)

Sahith Theegala poses with his trophy on the 18th green of the Silverado Resort North Course after winning the Fortinet Championship PGA golf tournament in Napa, Calif., Sunday, Sept. 17, 2023. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg)

Cam Davis, of Australia, hits out of a bunker up to the sixth green of the Silverado Resort North Course during the final round of the Fortinet Championship PGA golf tournament in Napa, Calif., Sunday, Sept. 17, 2023. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg)

Muralidhar Theegala, center, cheers on his son Sahith Theegala on the 17th green of the Silverado Resort North Course during the final round of the Fortinet Championship PGA golf tournament in Napa, Calif., Sunday, Sept. 17, 2023. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg)

Sahith Theegala follows his shot from the 18th fairway of the Silverado Resort North Course during the final round of the Fortinet Championship PGA golf tournament in Napa, Calif., Sunday, Sept. 17, 2023. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg)

Sahith Theegala, center, is greeted by his mother Karuna Theegala, left, on the 18th green of the Silverado Resort North Course after winning the Fortinet Championship PGA golf tournament in Napa, Calif., Sunday, Sept. 17, 2023. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg)

Sahith Theegala, center, is greeted by his father Muralidhar Theegala, right, on the 18th green of the Silverado Resort North Course after winning the Fortinet Championship PGA golf tournament in Napa, Calif., Sunday, Sept. 17, 2023. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg)

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NAPA, Calif. (AP) — Sahith Theegala talked all week about the importance of having nearly three dozen family members and friends following him at the Fortinet Championship. Playing with the lead on Sunday, the 25-year-old from California did everything he could to keep his supporters in high spirits.

Theegala made more than enough birdies to cover for his mistakes, shooting a 4-under 68 for a two-shot victory at Silverado, his first win in 74 starts on the PGA Tour.

Theegala started with a two-shot lead and birdied three of the opening five holes. No one got close to him the rest of the way.

“No matter the good golf or the bad golf, they just have my back. It’s a team win,” Theegala said, his mom and dad by his side on the 18th green. “It’s not just a win for me, it’s a win for the whole family.”

Theegala finished with seven birdies and three bogeys, including one after he hit a tee shot that landed in a fairway bunker on a different hole. With a three-shot lead, he hit his drive and his layup into the rough on the par-5 18th hole and tapped in for a 6. He finished at 21-under 267.

S.H. Kim (68) finished second, and Cam Davis (70) was another shot behind.

Justin Thomas had his worst round of the week in his final tuneup for the Ryder Cup in Rome, closing with an even-par 72 to finish six shots back. Max Homa, the two-time defending champion and Thomas’ U.S. teammate, closed with a 69 to tie for seventh.

Theegala, a son of Indian immigrants who played in college at Pepperdine, made the Tour Championship as a rookie last year. Last month, he made a bogey on the final hole of the BMW Championship that prevented a return to East Lake, ending his season on a sour note.

Even though he already is set for all the $20 million signature events next year, he wanted to play at Silverado because he loves the tournament and competition.

It paid off in a big way. The victory gets him into the Sentry Tournament of Champions and assures his spot in the Masters.

Before his breakthrough in Napa, Theegala had close calls at Phoenix, Hartford and Sea Island, endearing himself to fans.

His family’s support was unwavering. The afternoon ended with an emotional Theegala wiping his eyes and hugging and shaking hands with just about everyone in sight.

“To be able to share this moment with all of them is really special and something I’ll never forget,” Theegala said. “Through the highs and lows this week they’re cheering me on and supporting me. They’ve been that way since I’ve started my pro career. It’s awesome just hearing the chants every single hole and it definitely gave me a lot of energy.”

Theegala overcame his mistakes with steady iron play and superb putting. His three bogeys were one more than he had in the first three rounds combined. Each time, he steadied himself.

Theegala dropped a shot on the par-4 sixth hole after hitting his tee shot way right into a fairway bunker on No. 9. He responded by hitting a wedge 13 inches from the hole for birdie on the par-4 eighth, then made another bogey on No. 10.

Theegala birdied three of the next six holes, and after a par on the 17th, he was able to soak in the cheers from the gallery as he walked toward the 18th green.

Following bogeys with bold shotmaking is nothing new for Theegala. This time, he did it often enough to earn a trophy.

“That’s been the strength of my game for so long,” he said. “I have a pretty short memory on and off the golf course. It works out well in golf. This week I just felt so relaxed and felt like my game was in a really good place.”

Kim, one of the best putters on tour, played bogey-free and had four birdies on the back nine.

Thomas began the day with a chance for a win that would erase any doubt about U.S. captain Zach Johnson’s decision to pick him for the Ryder Cup team after a down year. But he bogeyed Nos. 2 and 5 and turned in 3 over before salvaging his round with a bogey-free back nine.

AP golf: https://apnews.com/hub/golf

Press Release

Fortinet brings together world’s best players and technology leaders with security summit at pga tour's fortinet championship.

Fortinet partners with PGA TOUR’s Fortinet Championship to demonstrate latest cybersecurity innovations and initiatives to close the cybersecurity skills gap and support local communities

John Maddison, CMO and EVP of Product at Fortinet

“We are excited about our inaugural Fortinet Championship event and Security Summit kicking off the 2021-2022 FedExCup Regular Season. Fortinet will bring together the greatest minds in the industry to double down on the most pressing cybersecurity challenges today.  Additionally, working together, the Fortinet Championship will launch another year of charitable giving for the PGA TOUR – with proceeds supporting local non-profits that share Fortinet’s vision in building an inclusive and diverse workplace that will close the cybersecurity skills gap.  These initiatives further Fortinet’s vision to make possible a digital world that organizations can always trust by securing people, devices, and data everywhere.”

News Summary

Fortinet ® (NASDAQ: FTNT), a global leader in broad, integrated and automated cybersecurity solutions, today announced several initiatives as part of the upcoming Fortinet Championship. This premier event will kickoff the 2021-22 PGA TOUR Season and will be held in Napa, California at the Silverado Resort and Spa, September 13–19, 2021.  Further to its mission to secure people, devices, and data everywhere, Fortinet will bring together the world’s best golfers and technology leaders, including its community of customers and partners, in one forum to discuss the latest security innovations and networking trends. Fortinet delivers the most innovative, highest-performing security fabric platform to help organizations secure and simplify their IT infrastructures.

Fortinet Championship Security Summit and Technology Vendor Expo

The Security Summit will offer attendees a full day of thought leadership insights including new and emerging technologies such as zero trust, enterprise SD-WAN - from cloud to branch, and SASE, as well as work from home amongst other topics. Fortinet Championship attendees will also have access to a Technology Vendor Expo featuring more than 35 partners, such as AT&T, Amazon Web Services, CDW, Comcast Business, Tufin, World Wide Technology (WWT), and more.

The full roster of Fortinet Championship Security Summit sessions available to attendees can be accessed here:

https://events.fortinet.com/fortinetchampionship . 

Growing an Inclusive Cybersecurity Workforce  

Aligned with the PGA TOUR, a world-class brand and global leader in charitable global impact, the Fortinet Championship looks forward to making a positive community impact with Bay Area non-profit organizations and the local Napa Valley community. Nearly all PGA TOUR tournaments are organized as non-profit organizations to maximize charitable giving, and to date, tournaments across all Tours have generated more than $3.2 billion. Fortinet is designating proceeds from the Fortinet Championship to benefit non-profit organizations in the areas of STEM, inclusion and diversity, and veterans reskilling programs.  These and other programs like Fortinet’s  TAA Initiative that provides free Network Security Expert  (NSE) training, as well as security academies, and veterans programs are helping to close the cybersecurity skills gap. Through the  Fortinet Veterans Program  Fortinet has helped over 2,000 veterans and military spouses transition into careers in cybersecurity since 2013.

Proactive Cybersecurity Strategies for Today’s Leaders

Attendees can also receive the yet-to-be-released book, Fighting Fire with Fire, penned by fellow attendee and Security Summit panelist Renee Tarun, Deputy CISO at Fortinet.  Some of the most accomplished female CISOs and leaders in the cybersecurity field contributed to  Fighting Fire with Fire , sharing their knowledge and experience to provide proactive cybersecurity strategies in an ‘essential survival guide’ for cybersecurity leaders. 

Securing People, Devices, and Data Everywhere: The Fortinet Championship and PGA TOUR

The two organizations coming together to execute the inaugural Fortinet Championship will be broadcast on Golf Channel and streamed on PGA TOUR LIVE with additional coverage on PGA TOUR Radio (XM/92 and Sirius/208). To learn more about the Fortinet Championship, visit  https://www.fortinetchampionship.com/

Supporting Quotes

“We are thrilled to have Fortinet as part of the PGA TOUR family.  The Fortinet Championship leads off the 2021-22 FedExCup Regular Season and we look forward to having Fortinet help grow the event to maximize charitable impact for the Napa Valley community.”

-- Tyler Dennis, PGA TOUR President

Additional Resources

• Read our blog for more information about the Fortinet sponsorship of the PGA TOUR’s Napa Tournament.
• Watch how Fortinet makes possible a digital world you can always trust.
• View how the  Fortinet Security Fabric  platform delivers broad, integrated, and automated protection across an organization’s entire digital infrastructure.
• Read more about how Fortinet customers are securing their organizations.
• Learn more about Fortinet’s free cybersecurity training , an initiative of Fortinet’s Training Advancement Agenda (TAA), or about the Fortinet Network Security Expert program , Security Academy program , and Veterans program .
• Learn more about FortiGuard Labs global threat intelligence and research and the FortiGuard Security Subscriptions and Services portfolio.
• Engage in the Fortinet User Community (Fuse) . Share ideas and feedback, learn more about our products and technology, and connect with peers.
• Follow Fortinet on  Twitter ,  LinkedIn ,  Facebook , and Instagram . Subscribe to Fortinet on YouTube .

About Fortinet

Fortinet (NASDAQ: FTNT) makes possible a digital world that we can always trust through its mission to protect people, devices, and data everywhere.  This is why the world’s largest enterprises, service providers, and government organizations choose Fortinet to securely accelerate their digital journey. The Fortinet Security Fabric platform delivers broad, integrated, and automated protections across the entire digital attack surface, securing critical devices, data, applications, and connections from the data center to the cloud to the home office. Ranking #1 in the most security appliances shipped worldwide, more than 530,000 customers trust Fortinet to protect their businesses. And the Fortinet NSE Training Institute, an initiative of Fortinet’s Training Advancement Agenda (TAA), provides one of the largest and broadest training programs in the industry to make cyber training and new career opportunities available to everyone. Learn more at https://www.fortinet.com , the Fortinet Blog , or FortiGuard Labs .

Copyright © 2021 Fortinet, Inc. All rights reserved. The symbols ® and ™ denote respectively federally registered trademarks and common law trademarks of Fortinet, Inc., its subsidiaries and affiliates. Fortinet's trademarks include, but are not limited to, the following: Fortinet, FortiGate, FortiGuard, FortiCare, FortiManager, FortiAnalyzer, FortiOS, FortiADC, FortiAP, FortiAppMonitor, FortiASIC, FortiAuthenticator, FortiBridge, FortiCache, FortiCamera, FortiCASB, FortiClient, FortiCloud, FortiConnect, FortiController, FortiConverter, FortiDB, FortiDDoS, FortiExplorer, FortiExtender, FortiFone, FortiCarrier, FortiHypervisor, FortiIsolator, FortiMail, FortiMonitor, FortiNAC, FortiPlanner, FortiPortal, FortiPresence , FortiProxy, FortiRecorder, FortiSandbox, FortiSIEM, FortiSwitch, FortiTester, FortiToken, FortiVoice, FortiWAN, FortiWeb, FortiWiFi, FortiWLC, FortiWLCOS and FortiWLM. Other trademarks belong to their respective owners. Fortinet has not independently verified statements or certifications herein attributed to third parties and Fortinet does not independently endorse such statements. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, nothing herein constitutes a warranty, guarantee, contract, binding specification or other binding commitment by Fortinet or any indication of intent related to a binding commitment, and performance and other specification information herein may be unique to certain environments. This news release may contain forward-looking statements that involve uncertainties and assumptions, such as statements regarding technology releases among others. Changes of circumstances, product release delays, or other risks as stated in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, located at www.sec.gov , may cause results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in this press release. If the uncertainties materialize or the assumptions prove incorrect, results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements and assumptions. All statements other than statements of historical fact are statements that could be deemed forward-looking statements. Fortinet assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements, and expressly disclaims any obligation to update these forward-looking statements. 

• Associated Press ,

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Photos: harry higgs through the years, share this article.

To follow golfer Harry Higgs is to be entertained. The 32-year-old SMU product has bounced up and down between the PGA Tour and the Korn Ferry Tour, but has found his way into 120 tournaments on the former, and he now has accrued more than $5 million in career earnings.

And although he’d gone five years between his first and second win, he only had to wait seven days for his third.

Higgs fired a 5-under 65 on May 26, 2024, to finish at 19 under, edging Frankie Capan III in a playoff at the weather-challenged Visit Knoxville Open. Higgs’ winning putt was from more than 36 feet away.

Just a week before, Higgs chipped in for eagle on the 18th hole to get into a playoff before winning in Kansas City at the AdventHealth Championship.

And he’s been hit-or-miss in his few major tournaments as well, missing the cut in two of the four in which he’s played, but finishing T-4 in the 2021 PGA Championship and T-14 in the 2022 Masters.

Of course, Higgs is as well known for his comedic side as he is for his golf game. In early 2023, Higgs told Golfweek that one issue with the PGA Tour/LIV Golf split was “they took all the assholes. They took all the villains. And that’s a problem.”

And at the 2022 WM Phoenix Open, Higgs went shirtless with playing partner Joel Dahmen in what can only be termed a moment for the ages.

Here’s a look at the always-entertaining Higgs through the years.

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Tournament Guide

Pairings + faqs, if you have a question we have an answer.

Check out the below list of pairings, tee times and FAQs to find out more about the Fortinet Championship.

Thank you to our sponsors!

Round 1 pairings and tee times  

Round 2 pairings and tee times  

Round 3 pairings and tee times  

Round 4 pairings and tee times

The North Course at Silverado Resort & Spa in Napa Valley, CA.

Tournament Gates

Thursday & Friday: 7:00 am Saturday & Sunday: 8:00 am

Fan safety guide that is in effect at all PGA TOUR events.

PGA Tour maintains the spectator mobile device policy and asks that you familiarize yourself with courtesy do’s and don’ts. Please visit the PGA Tour website to learn more.

The PGA Tour asks that while attending the tournament, attendees be aware of prohibited and permitted items. Please visit the PGA Tour website for a full list of items.

All Bags must conform to the PGA TOUR Bag Policy. Clear bags no larger than 12″ x 12″ x 6″, Small clutch purses no larger than 6″ x 6″ x 6”, and fanny packs with no more than one pocket are allowed. No backpacks are allowed. For expediency, we recommend using a clear bag and removing coats, jackets and additional layers from bags before entering security. Any bags that are not clear or are larger than 12” x 12″ x 6” are NOT ALLOWED.

Please visit the PGA Tour website to see the approved bag list.

All tickets are digital and must be purchased via  https://am.ticketmaster.com/fortinetchamp/  or Ticketmaster.com online, ahead of the event.

Daily Grounds and Premium Pass are available for purchase. All tickets must be purchased by the day (Thursday through Sunday).  Tickets can be purchased here: https://am.ticketmaster.com/fortinetchamp/

Up to four (4) youth, ages 15 and under, will have complimentary grounds admissions with a ticketed adult all week long. No ticket required for entry.

Your mobile phone will be used for entry into the parking lot and tournament grounds. You will have separate barcodes for your tickets and parking. The barcodes will not display on a computer desktop and mobile screenshots WILL NOT work.

To view your ticket(s) barcode log into https://am.ticketmaster.com/fortinetchamp/ for Account Manager buyers or https://ticketmaster.com/ for Ticketmaster buyers on your mobile device and sign in using the credentials you used to secure tickets. Once you are logged in on your mobile device, navigate to your ticket(s) and select the event you wish to view.

We recommend adding the ticket(s) to your mobile wallet prior to coming to the golf course.  The email address you entered at the time of purchase is the same email address you need to use to access your mobile tickets. All ticket purchasers received a confirmation email when they purchased their tickets.

Tickets can be transferred through Account Manager. If you need any assistance, click here

Please visit the Fan Services Tent outside the main entrance if you require assistance accessing your tickets. We will not be selling tickets onsite.

We do not allow re-entry the golf tournament.

TICKET SALES PHONE LINE: (760)534-0523

For Ticketing Inquiries: [email protected]

For Sponsorship & Hospitality Inquiries: [email protected]

No, daily parking passes are $25 and you will need to purchase a parking pass separately here:

Purchase Parking for the Fortinet Championship | Fortinet Championship (ticketmaster.com)

Parking will be mobile entry only. You will need to have your mobile parking barcode ready to show at the entrance to the parking lot. Fans are strongly encouraged to purchase parking passes in advance before spots are sold out. There will be an opportunity to purchase parking onsite, while spots last. NO CASH PAY will be available.

Parking is now available on the South Course off Hillcrest Ave.  Parking passes start at $25 per day and be purchased through Purchase Parking for the Fortinet Championship | Fortinet Championship (ticketmaster.com)

The Rideshare pickup/drop off point will be the Silverado Resort Spa, located at 1605 Atlas Peak Road.  This is a different address than the main entry for the Resort and tournament parking.

Accessibility Services

The Fortinet Championship is an accessible event, and we are dedicated to continually improving our efforts to ensure you have access to all the event amenities. We welcome and encourage all feedback and suggestions from our patrons. For any accessibility-related questions not answered below, please email us at [email protected] . We will do our best to assist you and address your accessibility needs.

ADA viewing will be available at the tournament.  Visit the Fan Services Tent outside the main entrance for more information.

Accessible Viewing Area Policies:

• Companions may be asked to stand in the back if capacity is reached
• Patrons and companions may not smoke in these areas
• Patrons may not save spots
• Do not block the view of the guests behind you
• Viewing is first come, first served

ADA parking will be available in Lot G.

Service animals are permitted throughout the venue. However, this does not include emotional support animals, therapy animals, or companion animals. Any animal whose task is to provide protection, emotional support, well-being, comfort, or companionship is not considered a service animal and will not be allowed into the venue. Only service animals that have been individually trained and are under the proper care of their owners will be allowed within the premises.

The following guidelines must be followed:

• All service animals must remain by the handler’s side at all times and must be harnessed, leashed, or tethered. If these devices interfere with the service animal’s work or if the handler’s disability prevents the use of these devices, the handler must maintain control of the animal through voice, signal, or other effective controls
• Service animals must be housebroken and should use the service animal relief area
• Anyone bringing an animal will be responsible for and liable for any damage or injury caused by the animal
• All service animals should have legally required vaccinations (which ADA staff may ask to see for verification)

We ask that you do not leave your animal in your car while you’re inside the event, as vehicles without air conditioning on may become too hot and unsafe for any animal.

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© 2023 FORTINET CHAMPIONSHIP PGA TOUR

After 'really tough road,' Bhatia, 21, wins 1st PGA Tour title

• Associated Press

TRUCKEE, Calif. -- Akshay Bhatia birdied the closing hole in regulation then capitalized in sudden death when Patrick Rodgers found a divot in the fairway. It was enough for Bhatia to win his first PGA Tour title at the Barracuda Championship on Sunday.

The 21-year-old Bhatia, who turned pro at 17, earned full status on tour and a spot in the FedEx Cup playoffs. He had been playing under special temporary membership since his runner-up finish at the Puerto Rico Open in March.

"It's obviously been a really tough road," Bhatia said. "I've had a lot of up, a lot of down. A lot of good, a lot of bad. But I knew I was going to get here. It was just matter of time. For it to happen this year with special temporary membership and now to get to play all these events and to get it done today was, I can't even describe it."

Bhatia converted a birdie from about 15 feet on the par-4 18th hole at Tahoe Mountain Club to finish with 40 points under the modified Stableford scoring system that awards five points for eagle and two for birdie while deducting a point for bogey and three for double bogey. The slender left-hander had nine points Sunday.

That was good enough to match Rodgers, who missed a birdie attempt from roughly the same distance on the 18th and scored six points in the final round.

In the playoff, Rodgers' tee shot on the 18th settled in a divot and he chunked his approach. His pitch was well short and he two-putted for bogey. Bhatia left his birdie putt just short and tapped in for the victory.

"I knew that if I got into a position like this, I could do it. I've done it at every level. Man, that felt uncomfortable out there," Bhatia said. "That putt on 18 in regulation was just, man, it's a crazy feeling. I as telling my caddie, like, your brain and everything, you can feel all this adrenaline, all this shakiness. It's pretty crazy."

Rodgers remains winless in 246 PGA Tour starts. The 31-year-old former Stanford star failed to convert a 54-hole lead for the fifth time.

The tournament was co-sanctioned by the European tour, and two players from that circuit tied for third. Julien Guerrier scored 20 points Sunday to finish with 37 alongside Jens Dantorp , who had 15 points in the final round.

Ryan Gerard , also a special temporary member, was fifth with 36 points. He totaled just six points over the final two rounds.

Bhatia largely struggled his first three years after bypassing college to turn pro. He won in the Bahamas on the Korn Ferry Tour at the beginning of 2022 but still fell short of earning a PGA Tour card.

Now he's eligible for some of the richest events in golf, including the PGA Championship.

"I'm in the playoffs now, which was a huge goal for me," he said. "I mean, I'm just excited. I love playing golf, I love playing on the PGA Tour and it's just a dream come true to have it."

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2024 Rocket Mortgage Classic leaderboard: Akshay Bhatia seeking third PGA Tour win tied on top with Aaron Rai

Will bhatia, rai or another from the chasing pack break through in detroit.

Early morning thunderstorms dumped more than an inch of rain on Detroit Golf Club forcing play to be delayed by a couple of hours Saturday. Once players did get the third round of the 2024 Rocket Mortgage Classic underway, they were off to the races with Akshay Bhatia and Aaron Rai sitting in pole position at 17 under through 54 holes.

Bhatia will sleep on the lead for the third consecutive night, while Rai will do the same for the second straight evening. Entering the weekend sharing the top spot on the leaderboard, the pair were in lockstep as they aimed to fend off a ferocious chasing pack that ultimately cut their two-stroke lead at the halfway point into a one-stroke margin with 18 holes to go.

Rai was the first to strike a blow Saturday as he opened his round with a kick-in birdie. Three more across his next 10 holes were enough to keep Bhatia at bay. However, the Englishman blinked in the form of a bogey on the par-3 15th -- his first of the tournament -- and allowed the lengthy left hander to join him back at the top.

Matching birdies on the par-5 17th pushed both their names past that of Cameron Young and Cameron Davis at 16 under, but failed scoring chances coming down the stretch may have allowed even more players back into the final-round conversation. 

In total, 11 players find themselves within four strokes of Bhatia and Rai; proven winners like Erik van Rooyen and Min Woo Lee are among them. And then there are youngsters like amateur Luke Clanton, a rising junior at Florida State, who finds himself three adrift with a real chance to become the second amateur this year to win on the PGA Tour.

The leaders

T1. Akshay Bhatia, Aaron Rai (-17):  While the final pair faced soft conditions, they also went up against tricky winds late in their rounds that posed some problems. Bhatia got stuck on the par train for most of his second nine, while Rai missed three straight greens in regulation at one point. Their inability to cash in -- given the accessible pin locations and a few par 5s  -- has lengthened the list of potential challengers. Despite all that, though, they still look great. Bhatia is the only player in the field without a bogey this week, while Rai hung tough in his own right making a crucial putt on top of Bhatia on No. 17. Par-5 scoring is something to watch with these two on Sunday as both have struggled to score on those holes the last couple of rounds.

T3. Cameron Young, Cameron Davis (-16) T5. Sam Stevens, Erik van Rooyen (-15) T7. Min Woo Lee, Luke Clanton (a), Joel Dahmen (-14) T10. Davis Thompson, Nick Dunlap, Patrick Rodgers, Troy Merritt (-13)

Seven times a runner up on the PGA Tour, Young seeks to enter the winner's circle for the first time in his career Sunday. Coming into the weekend only a couple behind the leaders, the big-hitting right hander saw this deficit grow for most of Saturday. A fast finish that included three birdies in his final five holes saw Young touch the lead at one stage, but he will ultimately play out of the penultimate group on Sunday. Perhaps this is a position in which he will thrive, however, as Young seems to have done just about everything but win on the PGA Tour.

Will another amateur make history?

Nick Dunlap broke a 33-year drought at The American Express when he won as an amateur earlier this year. Florida State standout Luke Clanton now has a chance to do the same just six months later. The runner-up at the NCAA Championship this past year and to Neal Shipley in the low amateur competition at the U.S. Open, Clanton has kept his good play going in only his second PGA Tour appearance. Not since 1945 have multiple amateurs won on the PGA Tour in the same year.

"I think I the people I've surrounded myself out here the last couple years have been a big help with that because there's a lot of doubt that goes in your mind sometimes," Clanton said. "To be able to be out here and even say I'm in contention to win a PGA Tour event is pretty nuts. It's pretty cool, man."

Will Zalatoris cuts his week short

The former PGA Tour Rookie of the Year withdrew from the tournament after just eight holes during Saturday's third round. Zalatoris told the CBS broadcast that he heard a pop in his hip during what was his fourth straight week of tournament golf. With Zalatoris' injury history, one has to hope this move was a precautionary measure after missing most of the 2023 season due to his back.

2024 Rocket Mortgage Classic updated odds, picks

• Akshay Bhatia: 5/2
• Aaron Rai: 3-1
• Cameron Young: 4-1
• Cameron Davis: 13/2
• Erik van Rooyen: 14-1
• Sam Stevens: 18-1
• Min Woo Lee: 20-1

The slow finishes from the final couple groups let a lot more people in this tournament. One of those is Lee, who after playing his first six holes in 1 over, played his final 12 holes in 7 under. He seemed to have found something with his ball striking Saturday; should that carry into Sunday, the Australian has the firepower to post a low on early to put pressure on the leaders late.

Rai trips up

Well, it took 50 holes but Aaron Rai has finally made a bogey. With his dropped shot on the par-3 15th, the Englishman drops to 16 under and in a share of the lead with Akshay Bhatia. What these guys do over these next three holes is very interesting with guys like Min Woo Lee (-14) in the clubhouse.

The Australians are coming

Cam Davis just stuffed his tee shot into the par-3 15th to 5 feet and will have that to get within two of Aaron Rai. Up ahead, Min Woo Lee is surging with now four back-nine birdies with his latest on the par-5 17th. After being 1 over through his first six holes, Lee has played his last 11 holes in 7 under to get to 14 under.

Fast finishes required for chasing pack

Aaron Rai has reached 17 under and if the field is not careful, this tournament could turn into a two-man race come tomorrow. Akshay Bhatia is his closet foe — as he has been all day — at 16 under but then Cam Davis, Erik van Rooyen and Luke Clanton sit in a share of third three behind. With two par 5s remaining, Rai could push this lead out close to 20 under and dash plenty of hopes.

Bhatia bounces back into the lead

After a nice par save on the par-3 9th, Akshay Bhatia makes birdie on the first hole of his back nine to get to 16 under alongside Aaron Rai. The two are now back in front by two over the rest of the field including amateur Luke Clanton who just put the finishing touches on his 7-under 65.

Rai rises to the top

It has been clinical from the Englishman thus far and he has the lead by himself yet again. Kicking in a birdie on the short par-4 8th, Aaron Rai has gotten to 16 under and one clear of Akshay Bhatia. Cam Davis is two back with a cluster of players three behind as the final threesome has 10 holes to go.

Cam Davis pulls within one

The 2021 champion is humming through his first seven holes and has added another birdie on the easy par-5 7th. He's 4 under on his round and has trimmed the lead to just one as Akshay Bhatia and Aaron Rai both face up-and-down opportunities for birdies of their own on No. 7.

Big bird for Shipley

In his second tournament as a professional — and first on the PGA Tour — Neal Shipley has shot himself into contention. An eagle on the par-5 7th has gotten him to 4 under on the round and 13 under on the tournament. He's two behind Aaron Rai and Akshay Bhatia who have maintained their gap over the field through five holes.

Bad news for Will Zalatoris

Clanton keeps on coming.

This has been a ridiculous day so far from the Florida State star and he is continuing it on the back nine. After turning in 4 under, Clanton has added a birdie from 25 feet on the long par-3 11th to climb inside the top three. He is now 12 under and just two off the lead in only his second PGA Tour start.

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Jason Dufner betting profile: ISCO Championship

Betting Profile

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Jason Dufner looks to improve upon his 24th-place finish in 2023's tournament when he hits the links in the 2024 ISCO Championship at Keene Trace Golf Club (Champions Course) July 11-14.

The ISCO Championship tournament and course info

• Date: July 11-14, 2024
• Location: Nicholasville, Kentucky, USA
• Course: Keene Trace Golf Club (Champions Course)
• Par: 72 / 7,328 yards
• Previous winner: Vincent Norrman

At the ISCO Championship

• Over his last four trips to the ISCO Championship, Dufner has an average score of 15-under, with an average finish of 24th.
• In 2023, Dufner finished 24th (with a score of 14-under) in his most recent appearance at the ISCO Championship.
• En route to winning this tournament in 2023, Vincent Norrman posted numbers of 5.184 in Strokes Gained: Off-the-Tee (third in field), 0.16 in SG: Approach the Green (49th), and 5.193 in SG: Putting (seventh).
• Norrman also posted numbers of 315.9 in average driving distance (14th in field), 69.44% in terms of greens in regulation (35th), and 26 putts per round (first).

Dufner's recent history at the ISCO Championship

Dufner's recent performances.

• He has not made the cut in his last five appearances.
• Dufner has not finished within five shots of the winner or recorded a better-than-average score in any of his last five tournaments.
• Off the tee, Jason Dufner has averaged 273.8 yards in his past five tournaments.
• In his past five starts, Dufner is averaging -0.272 Strokes Gained: Putting.
• Dufner is averaging -0.891 Strokes Gained: Total in his past five tournaments.

Dufner's advanced stats and rankings

Dufner's best finishes.

• Dufner took part in 32 tournaments last season, and he did not secure a top-10 finish.
• In those 32 events, he made the cut 13 times (40.6%).
• Last season Dufner put up his best performance at the Fortinet Championship, where he finished 19th with a score of 9-under (12 shots back of the winner).
• With 146 points last season, Dufner ranked 178th in the FedExCup standings.

Dufner's Strokes Gained rankings

Dufner's past results.

All stats in this article are accurate for Dufner as of the start of the ISCO Championship.

Note: The PGA TOUR has created this story via a machine-learning model using data from ShotLink , powered by CDW, in addition to player performance data. While we strive for accuracy and quality, please note that the information provided may not be entirely error-free.