Wesley Bryan showed resilience amidst a rollercoaster of birdies and bogeys, finishing with a crucial birdie to secure a slim one-shot lead with a 2-under 70 at the Corales Puntacana Championship. His consistent performance throughout the tournament has positioned him to potentially become the second wire-to-wire winner on the PGA Tour this year.
Despite momentarily losing the lead early on, Bryan bounced back with a string of birdies around the turn, navigating the challenging conditions at the wind-swept Puntacana Resort. His round was a mix of excitement, with seven birdies and five bogeys, underscoring the unpredictable nature of the game.
Kevin Tway remained hot on Bryan’s heels, carding a solid 66 to stay within striking distance, while Justin Lower and Taylor Pendrith trailed closely behind. The leaderboard tightened considerably, with several players, including Charley Hoffman and Bill Haas, in contention heading into the final round.
Tway’s impressive performance was highlighted by his ability to handle the wind effectively, although a late bogey ended his streak of consecutive holes without a dropped shot. Nevertheless, Tway remained focused on the task at hand, recognizing the importance of staying present and not dwelling on past mistakes.
With a PGA Championship spot on the line, the stakes are high for the contenders, including Bryan and Tway. While the Masters may not be within reach due to the tournament’s scheduling, the opportunity to compete in prestigious events and vie for a significant prize purse is motivation enough for the field.
As Bryan looks ahead to the final round, he remains determined and eager for the challenge, knowing that victory is well within his grasp. With nerves set to play a factor, Bryan is relishing the opportunity to contend for another PGA Tour title and is poised to seize the moment.
