Seeking the first win of his career, former Rhode Island Amateur champion Davis Chatfield holds a two shot lead heading into the final round of the Tulum Championship on the Korn Ferry Tour.
Chatfield has put himself in contention on numerous occasions so far this season, but this is the first time he will take more than a one-shot lead into the final round.
“I’ve fortunately put myself in this position a couple of times. There’s something similar this year, but yeah, this time I think a two-shot lead going into tomorrow is a little different. Yeah, I’m just going to stick to my game and whatever happens tomorrow, happens. I’m going to give it everything that I have and whatever that is on the 72nd hole, that’s what it will be,” said Chatfield after the round.
Chatfield is nine-under for the tournament with three straight rounds of 69 to lead Kensei Hirata and Shad Tuten by two.
“The scores kind of speak for themselves this week. I don’t think anyone’s going to shoot 12 under tomorrow. Maybe, but I don’t think it’s going to happen. Yeah, that plays a little bit of a part into my game plan, but more so sticking to what I’ve been doing because it’s been working,” added Chatfield about the relatively low scoring week on Tour.
Chatfield will be in the final pairing (obviously) with Hirata and Tuten that goes off at 12:50 p.m. eastern time.
A win on Sunday would put him at number one on the Korn Ferry Tour points list and bring him significantly closer to a PGA Tour card.
“It would mean everything. Monkey off my back, for sure. I feel like it’s the reason I practice so much is to win, so for it to happen tomorrow would be awesome,” Chatfield told the media.
Chatfield’s 3rd Round
The former Notre Dame star started the third round off strong with birdies on the second and third holes to get to two under for the day.
However, he gave that back with a double-bogey on six and then a bogey on the eighth hole to turn at one-over.
“I was really happy with how I came out of the gates. Made a couple birdies early, that kind of set myself up well for the tough stretch starting on 6. Made 6 look really hard, I put one in the cave so it was pretty tough to make anything happen from there,” noted Chatfield.
Turning to the back side, Chatfield bounced back with birdies on the 11th, 13th, 14th and final birdie on the 16th hole to give him a two-shot lead.
“After the front nine I’m really happy with how I reset. I like to ride the momentum but you’ve got to reset and I did that and finished strong with a nice 4 under on the back nine,” said Chatfield.
He finished with pars on 17 and 18 to card his third straight 69.
Welch Makes Cut
Meanwhile, Classical grad Patrick Welch sits in a tie for 30th entering the final round of the tournament.
He is even par for the week with rounds of 75, 71 and 70.