Mark Hubbard carded a 7-under-par 64 on Saturday to claim a one-shot lead over England’s Aaron Rai after three rounds of the ONEflight Myrtle Beach Classic.
The 36-year-old Hubbard, still seeking his first PGA Tour victory and without a top-20 finish this season, strung together four consecutive birdies late in his round to reach 16-under 197 heading into the final round of this alternate-field event.
“I felt like I had some of the best ball control I’ve had all season, maybe my entire career today,” Hubbard said. “But I felt like I was leaving a few out there in the middle of the round.”
After recording birdies on just two of his first 10 holes, Hubbard birdied No. 11 before catching fire with birdies on Nos. 14 through 17.
“I think Mark a couple of weeks ago would have gotten pretty frustrated and turned a 64 into a 68,” Hubbard said. “I just stayed really patient and tried to keep hitting good shot after good shot, and eventually the putts started falling.”
Rai, who carried a one-shot lead into Saturday’s play, shrugged off his lone bogey at No. 8 by reeling off four straight birdies to open his back nine. He finished the day at 5 under.
“Had a great stretch in the middle of the round,” Rai said. “Made a few birdies back-to-back, which really got things going. Yeah, really pleased overall.”
Kevin Roy pulled within two shots of Hubbard with a bogey-free 65. Beau Hossler and Mac Meissner tied for the low round of the day with 64s, remaining three shots behind. Brandt Snedeker (67) joined them at 13 under.
Brooks Koepka eagled the par-5 15th on his way to a 64. He shares seventh place with Japan’s Keita Nakajima (67) and South Africa’s Christiaan Bezuidenhout (68), five shots off the lead.
“I feel like I’m striking it as well as I ever have, driving it as well as I ever have,” said Koepka, who posted a 7-under 29 on the back nine. “If I can continue to do that, I’m going to be very pleased with where I’m at for a while.”
