'Number 1' Johnson 3rd "23 Holes Left"... Burns Leads for Third Day

Genesis Invitational Day 3: Evenpar in Strong Winds, Burns' First Win Challenge, Fitzpatrick Competes for Victory from 2nd Place

Dustin Johnson (center) is reading the putting line on the 7th hole on the third day of the Genesis Invitational. Pacific Palisades, California, USA = Getty Images / Multibits

[Asia Economy Kim Hyun-jun, Golf Specialist Reporter] World No. 1 Dustin Johnson (USA) continues his march toward a second victory.

On the 21st (Korean time), at the Pacific Palisades Riviera Golf Club in California, USA (par 71, 7,322 yards), during the third day of the PGA Tour Genesis Invitational (total prize money $9.3 million), Johnson maintained an even-par score amid strong winds to hold a tie for 3rd place (7 under par). Sam Burns (USA) dominated the top of the leaderboard on the third day with 10 under par, while Matthew Fitzpatrick (England) joined the race for the title in 2nd place, two strokes behind at 8 under par.

Johnson started tied for 2nd place, five strokes behind, and recorded three birdies and three bogeys over 13 holes. The game was suspended due to sunset with five holes remaining, and with 18 holes in the 4th round left, there is ample opportunity for the championship battle. Having secured his first win of the 2021 season last November at the ‘Fall Masters’ with a record-low winning score (20 under par, 268 strokes), he is already eyeing his second victory. On the 7th, he showcased his ‘No. 1 power’ to the world by winning the European Tour’s Saudi International.

Sam Burns is watching the ball immediately after putting on the 12th hole of the third day of the Genesis Invitational. Pacific Palisades, California, USA = Getty Images / Multivitz

Burns is in a prime position to claim his first victory. The 24-year-old rookie joined the PGA Tour in the 2019 season after winning the 2018 Korn Ferry (2nd tier) Tour Savannah Championship. He successfully made a smooth transition with three top-10 finishes, including a tie for 3rd at the Sanderson Farms in November 2018, and added another top-10 with a tie for 6th at the American Express in January last year. This season, he has increased his chances of winning with two ties for 7th at the Safeway Open in September and the Houston Open in November.

It is interesting that Burns is operating with an average driving distance of 312.7 yards (10th on the PGA Tour) and a greens-in-regulation rate of 73.61% (15th), demonstrating precise striking. However, his putting is relatively weak, averaging 1.73 putts per hole (58th). In this tournament, though, he led with ‘stingy putting’ of 1.39 putts on the first day to shoot 7 under par. Amid the bad weather today, he recorded 2 over par again, feeling the pressure. Meanwhile, Fitzpatrick made 3 under par over 17 holes, gaining momentum in the chase.

Max Homa and Wyndham Clark joined the tie for 3rd place. Jordan Spieth (both USA), dreaming of a comeback, is tied for 12th place (4 under par), and world No. 2 Jon Rahm (Spain) is tied for 19th place (2 under par). From Korea, Lee Kyung-hoon (30) is in 66th place (8 over par), and Kang Sung-hoon (34, both CJ Logistics) is 67th (9 over par). Kang Sung-hoon, in particular, endured a thorny path with the worst play, losing a total of 12 strokes with 1 birdie, 5 bogeys, and 4 double bogeys.