PUNTA CANA, Dominican Republic (AP) 鈥� Ben Martin shot a 2-under 70 on Saturday to hold onto a two-shot lead in the PGA Tour鈥檚 Corales Puntacana Championship.
Martin had five birdies and three bogeys as the wind dropped a bit at Corales Golf Course to take a 14-under 202 total into the final round. He opened with consecutive 66s.
鈥淣ot a 66, but 2 under, I felt like it was solid.,鈥� Martin said 鈥淣ot sort of being in a final pairing in I don鈥檛 remember when, so a little bit of nerves like to start the round, but made a couple pars and then birdied the third hole to kind of settle in.
"The golf course is starting to firm up a little bit. The wind wasn鈥檛 blowing quite as much, so maybe those things kind of balanced out. All in all, pretty pleased with 2-under par.鈥�
The 34-year-old former Clemson player has made only one other PGA Tour start this year, missing the cut in Puerto Rico with rounds of 78 and 70. He won the 2014 Shriners Hospitals for Children Open for his lone PGA Tour title.
鈥淎t the end of the day, really, I鈥檓 going to keep doing what I鈥檝e been trying to do all week, which is just enjoy being out there, not try too hard and sort of see what happens at the end,鈥� Martin said. 鈥淏ut this is really the reason I think I enjoy playing professional golf, like being around the lead on the weekend with a chance to win. You have a little nerves, but I think that鈥檚 why we all like to test ourselves and see where we are, so it will be a fun day tomorrow.
Chad Ramey was second after a 69. He eagled the par-5 14th.
鈥淲e just had a great number,鈥� Ramey said. 鈥淚 believe the number we had was 146 (yards to the) hole with a little help and it was just a perfect wedge. Couldn鈥檛 have asked for a better shot. Landed 2 short I believe and hopped on in.鈥�
The 29-year-old from Mississippi is seeking his first tour victory.
鈥淒on鈥檛 change a thing,鈥� Ramey said. 鈥淥bviously, I鈥檓 doing something right, so I鈥檓 just going to stick to my game plan and just see what happens.鈥�
Nick Taylor of Abbotsford, sa国际传媒, shot a third-round 69 and is in a tie for 18th place, seven strokes back of the lead.
Michael Gligic of Burlington, Ont., shot a 70 Saturday and is tied for 39th, sitting at 4-under for the championship.
Three-time tour winner Jhonattan Vegas had a 65 鈥� the best round of the week 鈥� to get to 11 under, and Cameron Percy (67) was 10 under with Martin Trainer (67), Thomas Detry (68), David Lipsky (68) and Nate Lashley (69).
鈥淟ess wind, that鈥檚 for sure,鈥� Vegas said. 鈥淚t was blowing, but it wasn鈥檛 blowing anywhere close to what it鈥檚 been blowing the whole week. Once the wind鈥檚 going to be that way, easy to get the mind on being a little more aggressive. Some pretty good shots, made a few good putts, but mainly just keeping a pretty aggressive mentality throughout the round.鈥�
Vegas eagled the par-5 seventh, hitting a 5-iron to 9 feet.
鈥淏eing Venezuelan, having a lot of Venezuelans that have migrated to here to the Dominican Republic, it鈥檚 actually a great feel kind of having that home feel to it,鈥� Vegas said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 been fun, it鈥檚 been a fun week. It鈥檚 always a great place for me here.鈥�
With the tournament being played opposite the Match Play event in Austin, Texas, the winner will be exempt into the PGA Championship but not the Masters.
The Associated Press
