Tiger Woods withdraws from US PGA but Matt Fitzpatrick eyes history

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Matt Fitzpatrick thrust himself into contention here on Saturday in his campaign to become the first English winner of the US PGA in 103 years. But Tiger Woods will not play in the final round after withdrawing late on Saturday night.

“Tiger Woods has informed us that he is withdrawing from the 2022 PGA Championship," Jim Richerson, the president of PGA of America, said.

"We admire Tiger’s valiant effort to compete here at Southern Hills and wish him the best as he continues to recover from his injuries.”

On a frenetic day when a blustery and cold Southern Hills proceeded to give and take in bizarre measure, Fitzpatrick, the world No 18, shot a 67 to move to six-under and on to the heels of leader Mito Pereira, the Chilean on nine-under after a 69. American Will Zalatoris is on the same mark as Fitzpatrick following his 73.

This first appearance in the final group on the final day of a major is overdue for Fitzpatrick. He has played in 24 majors as a professional but has yet to fare better than in his seventh at the 2016 Masters, which was his first major in the paid ranks.

The 27 year-old has been in fine form, coming second at the Wells Fargo Championship a fortnight ago, and has managed to squash his previous indifference to this championship.

Fitzpatrick now has the length to compete in the year’s second male major and that combined with his immaculate short-game - remarkably, he has got up and down 17 out of 19 times so far this week - has made him a serious proposition to breach the century-long gap to Jim Barnes, the big-hitter from Cornwall.

His birdie on the 18th summed up his skills, both old and new. He launched his drive 287 yards into the wind and then hit a sumptuous 234-yard approach to 12 feet on the elevated green.

The birdie conversion seemed almost a formality. Fitzpatrick has previous for ending vast barren spells for his country In 2013, he became the first Englishman to win the US Amateur in 102 years.

“I've spoken about my major record with my coaches at length,” he said.

"I've always said to them, I just want to give myself a chance because whenever I've had a chance in Europe, I've played very well. I'm looking forward to it more than anything.”

Rory McIlroy, meanwhile, shot a 74 that featured two calamitous par threes on which he wasted five shots. Otherwise, McIlroy would be only one behind Fitzpatrick with his first major in eight years in his sights.

On level par - alongside Tommy Fleetwood, who shot a 69 - the 33-year-old is still not entirely out of it, but will have to banish the demons of the sixth and 11th, where he made a double-bogey and triple-bogey respectively.

Suddenly, Thursday evening seemed a long, long time before. Then he had looked like the McIlroy who lifted four major titles by the time he was 25.

On five-under, his game appeared to be peaking and that distinctive bounce in his step was back. But he proceeded to play the next 29 holes in seven-over and he was in full, depressing trudge.

Credit to McIlroy for birdieing the 13th, 14th and 16th to keep his faint hopes  alive, although the three-putt bogey on the 18th was a killer.

At least Irish golf still had reason for cheer. Seamus Power, the 35-year-old late developer from Waterford, conjured a fine 67 to move to three-under and put himself in Sunday contention for the first time at the majors.

While the mood surrounding McIlroy was obvious, Woods had left the audience not quite knowing to be sad or inspired or a bit of both. He shot a nine-over 79 - his second worst score in relation to par in 27 years of playing the majors - leaving only one player behind him of the 79 who made the cut.

He reported himself as feeling “sore” and the affects of his injury to his right leg - which he almost lost in a car crash 14 months ago - were obvious. After the day’s play had ended, more than five hours after he had finished, the PGA of America released a statement revealing he had withdrawn.

The world of golf will now pray to see him at next month’s US Open at Brookline and especially the 150th Open at St Andrews in eight weeks time. Yet again the game is plunged into a “will he or won’t he?” purgatory.

Shaun Norris, the South African who played with Woods in the third round and witnessed him making five bogeys in succession for the first time as a pro in the majors, spoke for many in describing the mix of emotions.

“He's such a phenomenal player, you feel so sorry for him having to go through this,” Norris said after his own 74.

“You can see he was battling just today to get the ball out of the hole from time to time, even to bend out to put the ball on the tee. It's not easy to see a guy like him have to go through that and struggle like that. He's swinging it nicely, and I think he'll be back once he gets back to normal health and sorts out all the problems.”

US PGA Championship round three: As it happened!

11:19 PM

Birdie finish for Pereira!

Despite the wobble in the middle of the round, Pereira drains his birdie putt on the 18th for a one-under round of 69! It means he will take a three-shot lead into Sunday, but Matt Fitzpatrick will join him in the final group.

11:14 PM

The approach shots on the 18th...

Slightly blocky from Pereira but settles nicely in the middle of the green. Zalatoris' shot was on a better line covering the flag, but comes up half a club short.

11:12 PM

Not the finish Thomas and Watson hoped for

Both miss short putts on the 18th to tumble back to two-under. Expected more from the players with major titles on their CVs.

11:09 PM

Tee shots on 18...

Both players hug the left side and flirt with the rough, but they get friendly bounces back into the fairway. They should be able to find the heart of the green from there.

11:06 PM

Birdie for Zalatoris!

He produces a delightful pitch from long and left of the 17th, and this time he holes the putt to join Fitzpatrick on six-under. Pereira's conservative strategy only yields par. He leads by two as they head to the 18th.

11:04 PM

Disappointing finish for McIlroy

Takes three to get down from the edge of the 18th green, and that is a four-over round of 74. Drops him back to level par for the tournament.

10:58 PM

To the 17th....

Pereira, somewhat surprisingly, lays up with an iron at the short par four. Zalatoris takes on the green with a driver but flips it a long way left.

10:54 PM

BIRDIE FINISH FOR FITZPATRICK!

This has been an expertly-constructed round after two early bogeys, and he rolls in a birdie putt at the 18th after a bullet of a second shot up the hill. Fitzpatrick played his last 16 holes in five-under, which is incredible golf given the carnage around him.

Crucially, that birdie might just get him in the final group with Pereira tomorrow.

10:52 PM

Pereira cleans up for a par at the 16th

He holes out really well, it's been the difference between he and Zalatoris.

Zalatoris actually took two to get out of the rough down the right, before missing his putt after that fine approach. Bogey for the Texan and Pereira's lead is three again.

10:50 PM

Wonderful second from Fitzpatrick on the 18th...

Was a long way back in the fairway, 234 yards for his second, be he has nailed a long iron with draw into the left to right breeze and it reaches the back pin. A putt from 15 feet or so to reach six-under.

10:46 PM

Cracking iron shot from Zalatoris on 16

Has a chance to pull within one stroke of Pereira who is in the back bunker and battling to save par.

10:43 PM

A very green leaderboard

10:40 PM

Back to McIlroy

Found Fitzpatrick's bunker on the 17th with three wood, and splashes out with a fairly average shot. Still a chance for his putter to save the day and secure the birdie that would take him to two-under.

10:39 PM

This is what Zalatoris faces on the 16th

10:38 PM

Birdie for Fitzpatrick!

He takes a step closer to Pereira with an up-and-down from the greenside bunker after taking driver on the short par four 17th. After bogeying the first two holes, the Englishman is four-under for his last 15 holes. Only two players in front of him now.

10:33 PM

Pereira lets a birdie chance slide by

He got away with his second shot when he was aiming for the middle of the green and pushed it, just carrying the bunker. But the putt was left all the way. Stays at eight-under walking to the 16th tee.

10:26 PM

McIlroy with his third birdie in four holes!

What a comeback this could be. Rolls in a lengthy putt on the 16th green for birdie and strides to the driveable par four under par for the championship again.

10:21 PM

That's a great par four from Fitzpatrick at the 16th

The 523-yard par four does not play to his strengths but he puts two good swings on it and two-putts from the fringe. Decent chance coming up at the short par four 17th.

10:18 PM

Cameron Young the new clubhouse leader

The long-hitting American is in the clubhouse at five-under after a round of 67. That's great golf.

Mito Pereira though, has made a birdie two at the tough 14th to return to eight-under. That's a major boost, gives him a cushion.

10:09 PM

This really is wide open

10:06 PM

I spoke too soon!

Zalatoris drains his birdie putt from long range to gain a share of the lead with Pereira at six-under.

And then Pereira follows him in. So the Chilean has the sole lead again at seven-under. That might stop the rot for the pair of them.

10:02 PM

To the par five 13th

A birdie chance for both Pereira and Zalatoris but neither player was able to take the green on in two. Neither wedge shot is particularly close, although Pereira will have the better look from around 15 feet.

10:01 PM

Fitzpatrick oh so close to another birdie

Played the 15th expertly by finding fairway and green before scaring the hole. Another par on the card, stays at four-under.

10:00 PM

Cameron Young with an eagle at the 17th!

They nudged the tees up there today so players could take it on, and Young used all his power to drive the green. Walked up and knocked the putt in to reach five-under. Just one behind Pereira.

09:57 PM

McIlroy has made back to back birdies...

...on the 13th and 14th. Despite having a triple and double on his card today he is back to level par and only six shots back! Incredible stuff. Zalatoris and Pereira have backed up in the last hour and a half.

09:52 PM

Fitzpatrick with a huge up and down on the 14th...

A tough 230-yard par three that he missed right. Not his best pitch but a perfect putt bails him out. Fitzpatrick now just two shots back.

09:50 PM

It is indeed a bogey for Pereira...

His pitch from way downtown at the 12th was a fine effort, but still 15 feet away. The putt was on line but lost pace, and just like that: the lead is now just six-under! A dozen or more brought back into this.

The good news for Pereira is he has the reachable par five 13th next.

09:44 PM

Pereira in more bother on the 12th

He missed the fairway in the left rough and caught a flyer. His ball pitched pin high but goes bounding on and over a slope at the back. Some 40 yards away or so now. Zalatoris shows him how it's done to set up a birdie chance.

09:37 PM

Fitzpatrick would have had the eagle...

Left it right in the jaws from almost 50 feet away, but it is a fine lag putt. The birdie takes him to four-under. Inside the top five now.

09:36 PM

Matt Fitzpatrick moving in the right direction

Playing some very consistent golf and is now only four behind Pereira. In even better news, the man from Sheffield has just nutted a fairway wood to the back edge of the par five 13th green. The PGA have moved the tee up on that hole today, so it is a birdie chance. The 17th has also been shifted to a driveable par four.

09:33 PM

Some of the highlights from early in the day

09:28 PM

Pars at the 11th for Thomas and Watson

No fireworks from those two today at four and five-under respectively, but they are very much still in this. Both make solid pars on the 11th where the pin is in an awful spot.

09:25 PM

Another bogey for Pereira

He fails to get up and down from the bunker short of the 10th, and the lead is now seven-under! Nine or ten players within four shots of the lead now. Zalatoris holes his par putt, to stay within two at five-under.

09:21 PM

Zalatoris and Pereira both find sand on the 10th

It is only a short part four but they got sucked into taking the front pin on with wedges. Their shots stalled in the wind and came up shy. Work to do to save par now. This is proving a struggle for almost everyone out there.

09:18 PM

Bubba Watson with a bogey at the 10th

He drops back to five-under and Pereira's lead is three shots once again.

09:17 PM

McIlroy with a TRIPLE bogey six at the par three 11th

Stick a fork in him. Has made a five and a six on two of the short holes today, and that sees him tumble back to two-over for the tournament. Six-over for the day.

09:14 PM

Another birdie for Seamus Power....

His fourth birdie in six holes arrives at the 17th, and he moves to three-under.

09:10 PM

Another awful stroke from Zalatoris...

A complete deceleration from him and a presentable birdie chance slips by. After all that, he reaches the turn at five-under and three behind.

09:09 PM

Another bogey for Pereira...

Well, well. This is starting to get interesting. The leader is back to eight-under and a number of players around the two and three-under mark will feel they are still in this. Pereira's second left him a devilish pitch, downwind over a bunker. Did well not to bring double into play.

09:06 PM

A couple of players moving quietely

Irishman Seamus Power has had a good day, going along well at two-under for the tournament. And breakout star Cameron Young has reached four-under.

09:05 PM

Might be some controversy here...

There is no doubt that Pereira's drop from the crowd and cross-walk left of the 9th is within the rules, because an official gave him the nod.

But some will question the spirit of this. He dropped the ball way to the right of where his drive finished, in the fairway with a better angle. He will say he was no nearer the hole, but he did not keep in line with the pin.

As it happens, that bit of cute play backfired because he zipped the wedge back off the false front. Will have a 40-yard pitch to get up and in for par.

08:55 PM

Pereira is human

The first dropped shot of the day comes at the par-three 8th, and the lead is now three at nine-under. Gives the other players a sniff.

On the 9th and 10th respectively, Thomas and Fitzpatrick have given themselves looks at birdie.

Zalatoris stops the rot alongside Pereira with a par.

08:48 PM

Some respite for McIlroy

He makes a birdie at the short par four 9th, to turn in two-over 38. McIlroy is in the red for the week but now nine strokes behind Pereira.

08:43 PM

Good finish to the back nine for Fitzpatrick

Zipped a wedge back to within five or six feet on the 9th, and holed the putt for birdie. Level par for his day at the turn which is a good salvage operation after a bogey-bogey start.

08:42 PM

Another shot goes for Zalatoris

The drive was to blame this time on the par four 7th, and he failed to pitch and putt for a par. Falls back to five-under, four-over for his day. Bubba Watson is now second on his own behind Pereira who has breathing space.

Speaking of Pereira, two ideal shots down the seventh set up a birdie chance but he left it in the jaws. He had the line.

08:38 PM

Another bogey for McIlroy

Three-putts from long range on the par three 8th, and this is ebbing away badly now. Four over for the day as he walks to the ninth tee.

08:34 PM

Birdie for Watson at the 7th!

He is now tied for Zalatoris at six-under, one clear of his playing partner Thomas and four behind the leader Pereira.

In fact, Thomas has just made a bogey alongside him to drop back to four-under.

08:31 PM

McIlroy saves a bogey...

But he is now nine shots behind at one-under. Back on the tee on the 7th, Zalatoris' drive has sailed right into the crowd.

08:25 PM

Another miss on the greens for Zalatoris

The putter has not been behaving today. He falls back to six-under. Once again, Pereira holes out serenely to stay at ten-under, four clear of the field now.

08:21 PM

Not much happening between Watson and Thomas

But unlike McIlroy, they have kept the big numbers off their scorecard. Both chugging along at five-under, five behind Pereira.

Pereira and Zalatoris both facing testing par putts at the par three sixth.

08:19 PM

Another watery grave for McIlroy!

He takes on the green on the par four 7th, and loses his iron shot to the right from the rough. Comes down with a splash in the creek, and there is work to do to avoid another double bogey on the card.

08:10 PM

Spieth skimming

08:08 PM

Birdie for Pereira!

He makes a tidy four at the par five fifth and Pereira is the first player this week to reach double digits. Three clear of the field, and looking extraordinarily relaxed out there.

08:06 PM

Double bogey for McIlroy

That is a gut-punch, he tumbles back to two-under and is left needing favours from those in front of him.

07:55 PM

Water for McIlroy

He shouts "go, go!" as his ball is in the air at the difficult sixth. and it does not even come close to making the bunker, let alone the green. Must have caught that fat or high on the face.

07:53 PM

Another birdie for Fitzpatrick

Just the fifth birdie of the day at the tough par-three 6th. Nailed a long iron into the middle of the green and rolled in the putt with pace. Just as he looked to be drifting out of this, back to three-under and gets back the two shots he dropped early doors.

07:52 PM

Fleetwood's cracker from earlier on

07:48 PM

Zalatoris misses a short putt on the 4th

His second shot reached the back edge, and he left himself 'one of those' for a par, and it dribbled past the right edge. Back to seven-under.

In stark contrast, after pitching out sideways, Pereira holds steady to topple a par putt in the left edge from 10 feet. Nerves of steel to stay at nine-under. The lead is now two.

07:43 PM

Still no birdie for McIlroy today...

His wedge into the par five 5th was pin high but some 25 feet left of the cup. A two-putt par to keep him at four under and level par for his day.

07:39 PM

Agreed:

07:38 PM

Fitzpatrick holes out from sand on the fifth!

Having a tough day with two early bogeys and hitting a poor wedge into the front bunker on this par five. But he splashes out expertly and his ball topples in dead weight. Back to two-under and one-over for the day.

07:37 PM

The final group flirting with trees on the 4th

Zalatoris and Pereira taking on the short par four with a driver, and there is tree trouble down the right. It looked like Zalatoris' ball scooted beyond the timber but Pereira might be in some trouble.

07:33 PM

Birdie for Justin Thomas!

Walks in a birdie putt at the 4th to get back the shot he dropped at the 1st and return to six-under. Watson alongside him also makes birdie after a delicious pitch to get back to five-under.

07:33 PM

A birdie chance goes for Zalatoris on the 3rd

A slightly weak putt drifts right and he settles for a par to stay eight-under. Pereira's putt from 30 feet ran on past the hole, but he kept his nerve to hole the par putt coming back. Retains his one shot lead with a short par four and a par five to come.

07:25 PM

Chance goes for McIlroy

Played a fine pitch from left of the fourth after going for the green, but the birdie putt from 10 feet breaks left. Maybe lacked a touch of pace. Par-par-par-par for McIlroy, and he stays at four-under.

07:24 PM

Three straight pars for Thomas to start his round

A birdie try from long-range on the 3rd slips by the edge. Solid enough start.

Bubba Watson is his playing partner, and drops a shot after a sloppy chip that did not make the journey. Tried to play it with loft when he should have been driving it forward.

07:18 PM

Birdie for Pereira!

Drains a putt from fully 30 feet on the second green, and the Chilean is the sole leader at nine-under.

Zalatoris did well to hole a par putt from 10 feet to avoid consecutive bogeys. Pereira leads by one.

07:15 PM

Correction: Zalatoris made a bogey at the 1st

So the lead is at eight-under, shared by Pereira and Zalatoris.

07:15 PM

To the fourth...

McIlroy bashes a driver up the right side that carries 315 yards, and comes to rest in the rough on the right. Tricky pitch across the green from there, but he is a long way down on this par four.

07:10 PM

Just a par at the third for McIlroy...

His gap wedge zipped off the front of the green, but it was a simple chip from there and he puts another four on his scorecard. A short par four and a par five coming up next for him.

07:08 PM

Another two cracking drives from Zalatoris and Pereira on the 2nd

These two players may not have a major championship on their CV but they look completely unflustered at the moment.

It's been a par-par start for McIlroy, he remains at four-under but is in the middle of the third fairway.

07:05 PM

Pars at the 1st in the top group

That is a solid score for both Pereira and Zalatoris given the shots that have been frittered away in the groups in front of them.

06:55 PM

Bogey for Thomas at the 1st

Shots are being scattered around now as the wind whips up. Thomas did not do much wrong at that hole but his put comes up a tad short. A shot goes, back to five-under.

06:53 PM

Zalatoris gets started...

Slightly down the right side of the tee and his drive settles in the semi rough. Pereira hits a pearler right down the middle. Impressive start.

Up at the green, Thomas hits a decent pitch after hitting his second miles over the green. Gives himself a chance to save par. Watson found fairway and green but settles for a par.

06:45 PM

McIlroy does save his par...

That is an important moment. Keeps a spring in his step and within striking distance of the leaders.

Speaking of which, Zalatoris and Pereira are waiting to tee off shortly,

06:43 PM

Lovely drives from Thomas and Watson at the 1st

Both players split the fairway and are in ideal position. Up at the green, McIlroy plays a splendid bunker shot to give himself a chance of saving par.

At the 2nd, Fitzpatrick's drive has found the creek down the left, so this is a rough start for the Englishman.

06:38 PM

McIlroy has his back against the wall already...

Catches a flyer with a nine-iron from the left rough, and his ball sails over the green into the back bunker. Work to do to save par and stay at four-under.

06:36 PM

Fitzpatrick holes a gutsy putt on the first

From six or seven feet, but it seems it was for a bogey five. His first shot from the fairway bunker hit the lip and came back to him. Still, two-under is a good position to be in.

Justin Thomas and Bubba Watson are about to get going shortly.

06:32 PM

Rory McIlroy on the 1st tee...

Playing alongside Mexican Abraham Ancer. McIlroy is out with driver on a dog-leg left that should suit his eye, but there is a little too much turn on it. May well have found one of the fairway bunkers. Ancer splits the fairway.

06:27 PM

Hatton finds more trouble...

After finding the water on the 2nd, his third from the semi rough dives left into the greenside bunker. He has short-sighted himself there, so an uphill battle to make bogey.

06:24 PM

Matt Fitzpatrick getting his third round started

His opening drive is down the left side, hard to see exactly where that finished but not ideal. He is playing alongside American Davis Riley today.

06:19 PM

Hatton win the water on the 2nd

Oh, Tyrrell. Follows up the opening birdie with a drive that heads left into the creek on the 2nd. He is just getting a rule from an official, but that will be a penalty drop.

06:18 PM

It will be tough to beat this round today

06:12 PM

Woods battles to break 80

The triple-bogey six on the 6th hole set him back and that was a struggle in colder weather. But on the 18th green he holes a six-foot putt from above the hole to spare himself the shame of shooting 80. A nine-over 79.

06:10 PM

Hatton opens with a birdie!

Rolls in a putt from 18 feet and that is the perfect start. Moves to three-under for the championship and inside the top 10 now.

06:08 PM

What a moment this was!

05:55 PM

Tyrrell Hatton teeing off alongside Matt Kuchar...

Chunters away to himself while the ball is in the air as he tends to, but that settles in the middle of the fairway just nicely. Solid start for Hatton.

05:54 PM

Tony Finau appears to be wearing your Nan's curtains

05:42 PM

Some of the groups we have starting imminently

18:52 Tyrrell Hatton (Eng), Matt Kuchar

19:10 Stewart Cink, Chris Kirk

19:20 Davis Riley, Matt Fitzpatrick (Eng)

19:30 Rory McIlroy (NIrl), Abraham Ancer (Mex)

19:40 Justin Thomas, Bubba Watson

05:22 PM

Patrick Reed enjoying a return to form

These fiendish conditions should suit a scrapper like Reed but he has been horribly out of nick. He has birdied the 1st today though, to move to two-under for the tournament. Almost in the top 10.

05:12 PM

Jon Rahm three-over for his day at the turn...

The wind has changed directions by 180 degrees today, so this is a completely different golf course to the one the players faced all week. Rahm is five-over.

05:10 PM

Tiger's difficult day continues

He is now dead last and 13-over for the championship. Had an awful run of bogeys around the turn. Amazing to think he was talking about trying to win this weekend. The cooler weather and the northerly wind does not help him physically, Woods plays his best golf in more humid conditions because of his physical stiffness.

05:05 PM

Webb Simpson now four-under for his round...

Back to level par for the tournament. Ryan Fox and Tom Hoge have also birdied the 1st to move into red figures for the week.

04:41 PM

The lowest round in progress this morning...

Is being put together by 2011 US Open champion Webb Simpson. He is three-under for his day after 13 holes, so it can be done.

04:39 PM

What a round this man produced yesterday

Eyes were on other players on Friday afternoon, but Bubba Watson rocketed up the leaderboard with a seven-under 63. Watson is a multiple winner at Riviera, the Los Angeles venue Southern Hills is frequently compared to. There are also elements of Augusta National, where Watson has won two Green Jackets.

04:32 PM

Not too many low scores out there at the moment...

Englishman Laurie Canter has started nicely enough at one-under thru seven to get back to one-over for the tournament. Just outside the top 30.

Jon Rahm is one-over for his day after five holes and on the same score as Spieth at three-over.

04:30 PM

Jordan Spieth also off to a rocky start

He makes a double-bogey six at the 1st to fall back to three-over for the week. Hit a pitch right across the green with his third and paid the penalty. A body blow after finding the fairway. His hopes of a weekend charge surely gone.

04:27 PM

Woods with a TRIPLE bogey at the par three sixth

04:24 PM

Will the morning suit McIlroy?

Good evening and welcome to our live coverage of the third round of the US PGA Championship where a varied leaderboard looks poised to produce more drama at Southern Hills.

Rory McIlroy will tee off at 7.30pm UK time after play was delayed by half hour or so this morning, and starts the day five shots behind leader Will Zalatoris. The young Texan has produced a succession of strong major finishes, with his exemplary ball-striking coming to the fore on the hardest courses. There have been fears his putting stroke is twitchy, but he has holed more than his share this week. Nevertheless, Zalatoris is yet to win on the PGA Tour so making a major championship his maiden title is no easy task. The same applies to Chilean Mito Pereira who is one shot behind in second - a player with an enviable swing but very much untried at the highest level.

McIlroy's play was not as precise in round two but he avoided any destructive big numbers to keep himself in it.

“Those up-and-downs on 16, 17, and 18 were really important,” he said. “Just keeps me nearer the lead. If I’d have dropped one or two on those last three holes, it have felt like I had a mountain to climb. It doesn’t feel such that way now.”

English Matt Fitzpatrick leads the PGA Tour for strokes gained this year and has continued his consistency with rounds of 68 and 69 on the harder side of the draw. He starts the day six behind, but is one of the form players in the world. Lurking dangerously is 2017 USPGA Champion Justin Thomas, whose three-under 67 in stiff winds on Friday morning was the round of the day. Thomas starts the day on six-under, three behind Zalatoris.

Jordan Spieth, seeking to complete the career grand slam this week, needs a round of 64 or 65 and a prayer that the leaders come back to him. He starts at one-over. Tiger Woods will also be among the early starters after battling gamely to make the cut.