Miguel Angel Jimenez of Spain fired a 7-under 65 Saturday at the Constellation Furyk & Friends in Jacksonville, Fla. to surge into a three-way tie for second place.
Phil Mickelson held onto first place with a 5-under 67 on Saturday, which included an eagle on hole 13. He’s 11-under for the tournament and holds a two-stroke lead headed into Sunday’s final round.
Jimenez posted seven birdies, including a run of four on five holes in the back nine thanks to great iron work.
“Somehow had six feet for birdie — on the 14,” Jimenez said. “On the 15, I went — just past and make a nice chip, four foot. And now on the 17th is another three foot for birdie. You know, so I been doing very solid.
“You can see. Hit it four or five feet to the hole, is very good, no?”
Steve Flesch posted a 6-under 66 to also tie for second, though he credited his short game improvement for his strong day.
“I started using the arm lock,” Flesch said. “I was using a long putter. I was using claw. I started using the arm lock, and it felt more traditional to me than a long putter. So I just think my feel is better, and I kind of just — I changed my routine quite a bit to where I just stand over, take one look and go. Try and keep everything clutter — all the clutter out of my mind.
Matt Gogel, who matched Mickelson at 6-under Friday, fell into a second-place tie with Jimenez and Flesch after hitting a 3-under 69 Saturday.
Three golfers are tied for fifth place at 8-under. Ernie Els and Woody Austin each carded a 5-under 67, while David Toms had a 4-under 68.
Steve Stricker fired a 5-under 67 to vault into a tie for eighth at 6-under. He’s joined by Scott Parel (68), Jim Furyk (69), Canadian Mike Weir (69), Australian Steven Alker (70) and Kevin Sutherland (70).
Jim Furyk founded the event to benefit his charity, the Jim & Tabitha Furyk Foundation, and has expanded it from a one-day pro-am to a regular tournament for the first time.
–Field Level Media
