PHOENIX — Jim Furyk’s tee shot at Phoenix Country Club’s par-3 15th hole just cleared a bunker, nearly went into the hole and settled 3 feet away.
As the former University of Arizona star walked up to the green, fans in the skyboxes serenaded him with the fight song from his alma mater. Furyk doffed his cap and waved again after holing the birdie putt.
Another round like this and he could be doing it again on Monday (PH time) — with the Schwab Cup in his hands.
Furyk shot a 6-under 65 on Sunday to take the third-round lead in the Charles Schwab Cup Championship, putting him in position to win the PGA Tour Champions season points title.
Furyk has been comfortable all week at Phoenix Country Club, less than two hours from where he was a two-time All-American at Arizona.
He started the round three behind leader Kirk Triplett and quickly made up ground with an eagle on the par-5 first hole at Phoenix Country Club. Playing with fan favorite and Arizona State alum Phil Mickelson, Furyk heard plenty of ASU chants during his round, but got the nice serenade from Arizona fans after his near ace on No. 15.
Furyk closed out his day by getting up-and-down for par on the par-5 18th for a bogey-free round that put at 16 under — one ahead of Triplett, who shot 69. Furyk can win his first Schwab Cup with a victory or with a high finish and if Bernard Langer falters. (AP)