IVINS, Utah — Matt McCarty took a two-stroke lead into the ultimate spherical in his second PGA Tour begin, capturing a 7-under 64 on Saturday within the inaugural Black Desert Championship.
A 3-time winner this season on the Korn Ferry Tour to earn an prompt promotion to the PGA Tour, McCarty had a 19-under 194 complete at Black Desert Resort within the Tour’s first occasion in Utah in 61 years.
On a breezier, however nonetheless low-scoring afternoon on the Tom Weiskopf design carved out of an historical black lava subject, the 26-year-old McCarty performed a five-hole stretch on the entrance 9 in 6 beneath — highlighted by an eagle chip-in on the par-5 seventh.
“I believe it’s simply very snug setting being again within the desert,” stated McCarty, from Scottsdale, Arizona. “Identical to the views and prefer it’s only a cool place to be. Cool place to play properly, additionally.”
On the again 9, McCarty drove the inexperienced and two-putted for birdie on the brief par-4 14th. He hit a wedge to six inches on the par-4 sixteenth, then two-putted the par-5 18th for one more birdie.
“All of the stuff that form of comes on the opposite aspect of a win out right here, of getting the exemption for a pair years, getting within the Masters, stuff like that,” McCarty stated. “It’s onerous not to consider these issues.”
McCarty — who tied for 63rd final week in Mississippi — completed the suspended third Saturday morning with three pars for a 68 that left him two pictures behind chief Stephan Jaeger.
“Lengthy day. A bit of drained,” McCarty stated. “Watch no matter is left of the soccer right this moment and simply go to mattress early.”
Jaeger shot a 68 to drop two strokes again with Joe Highsmith (62), Kevin Streelman (63) and Harris English (66).
Jaeger already has one victory this yr, capturing his first PGA Tour title within the Houston Open in a duel over Scottie Scheffler. He’s certainly one of two gamers — Chris Kirk, who was tied for thirty sixth at 9 beneath after a 70, is the opposite — who completed within the high 50 within the FedExCup and are assured of all of the $20 million signature occasions subsequent yr.
Highsmith had his lowest rating on the Tour.
“It was definitely in all probability top-of-the-line rounds I’ve ever performed in my complete life {golfing}.” Highsmith stated. “It received fairly onerous on the again 9 with some crosswinds.”
Harry Corridor was 15 beneath after a 64. Kurt Kitayama (64) was 14 beneath with Chad Ramey (64) and Beau Hossler (66).
