Long-hitting amateur in contention at U.S. Open

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Here are nine tidbits from the third round of the Sony Open at Waialae Country Club (par 70, 7,044 yards) in Honolulu that gamers can use tomorrow, this weekend or down the road. Be looking for the Emergency 9 shortly after the close of play of each round of the tournament. Tom Cruising After 65-64-64 and 16-under-par, Tom Hoge looks like he’s on cruise control. Don’t tell him that six of the seven closest players on the leaderboard have already done what he’s trying to do for the first time tomorrow: win. History is not on his side as only Jerry Kelly and Russell Henley have made the Sony Open their maiden victories on TOUR since 2000. He’ll have some confident players breathing down his neck and I’m interested to see how he reacts. Patton Marching Hoge’s Friday-Saturday total of 129 is impressive but Patton Kizzire is one shot better. One shot is all that separates the OHL Classic winner from the fella trying to close his first deal. Kizzire had to face and beat Rickie Fowler at Riviera Maya for his first TOUR win so he’ll be up for the fight tomorrow. For Hoge, his strength has been approaching the green (first) while Kizzire has putted the greens best. He’s made 21 birdies through 54 holes, the most on the week. Moving Day Movers The low round of the day went to Webb Simpson as his 63 moved him up 39 spots to T9. Simpson has now made nine consecutive cuts at Waialae but he’s never finished better than T9…Chez Reavie has taken multiple swings at Waialae and finally figured out how to hit the top 10 as he closed with 61 (T8) last year. His 65 Saturday moved him up 27 spots to T21 and another low one on Sunday might see him sneak in the back door again…Austin Cook also carded 65 on Saturday and moved up 35 spots to T28. Moving Day Shakers Gamers riding Hudson Swafford after his 66 on Friday saw a vicious swing as his 73 today dropped him 42 spots to T59…One of the most popular picks in PGA TOUR Fantasy One & Done presented by SERVPRO and PGA TOUR Fantasy One & Done presented by SERVPRO, Marc Leishman’s 71 saw him plummet 33 spots to T50. Last week Leishman struggled on Saturday as well before rallying on Sunday to hit the top 10. Breathe people!…A couple of players on Major Medical Exemptions caught my eye yesterday as John Peterson and Ryan Palmer both shot 64. Peterson began the day T2 and wound up T40 after 74 while Palmer’s 71 knocked him out of the top 20 to T56. This is all part of getting back into TOUR shape and hardly a surprise. Crack the Back Door Yesterday on the telecast those who were watching heard Jordan Spieth voice his displeasure as he lamented his two weeks of poor putting. He’s not wrong as he checks in at No. 63 in SG: Putting after three rounds. His ball-striking has kept him alive this week and is currently T28 after his best round in three with 66. History buffs will point out he closed 63 last year and finished third. I’m leaving him on my bench tomorrow as I haven’t burned his start yet. I’d rather use him for an entire event and cash all four rounds of points rather than trying to catch another 63. Cameron’s Dollars Australian Cameron Smith keeps forcing himself into our world this winter so we should start paying attention. After kicking off the new TOUR season T5 at CIMB Classic followed by third at THE CJ CUP @ NINE BRIDGES, he went back to his native Australia to cash fourth at his national open while backing that up with winning the Australian PGA. This was his 10th round at Waialae and his ninth under par as his 66 moved him to eighth place. I Heart Rory It was revealed that Rory McIlroy has been dealing with a heart ailment that has hurt his preparation and tournament golf. In fantasy golf, knowledge is power and knowing why McIlroy wasn’t playing well is very helpful. His talent is unquestioned and Ben Everill’s article will help put season-long and weekly gamers at ease. I’m on board without question moving forward. Reality Bites This morning, the people of Hawaii were awoken by buzzing or ringing cell phones alerting them of a possible ballistic missile attack. While the message suggested THIS IS NOT A DRILL, thankfully for all involved, it was. It took 38 minutes to rectify the situation and confirm that there was NOT a missile attack heading toward the Hawaiian Islands. Talk about wake-up calls…Remember, professional golfers aren’t robots; they’re people with families and emotions like the rest of us. I bet they all are hoping for a “normal” day tomorrow. Everyone, minus perhaps Tom Hoge, should sleep well tonight. Study Hall Tony Finau racked up an ace this afternoon but his 67 moved him only to T40…Saturday had to be an incredibly tough day for Blayne Barber. He learned that his caddy and great friend was in the hospital after a fall on Friday night and we all know how Saturday morning started. Barber shot 72 and is currently T70…Ian Poulter tweeted that he’ll be playing Abu Dhabi, Dubai and then Waste Management Phoenix open in consecutive weeks to open his 2018 season…On this day in history in 1933, Augusta National Golf Club opened.

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