Golf

Bill Haas leads at Valspar as Jordan Spieth remains defiant

Padraig Harrington shoots a second consecutive 71 to remain at three over in Florida

A third round 67 gave Jordan Spieth a glimmer of hope heading into the final day at Valspar. Photograph: Getty
A third round 67 gave Jordan Spieth a glimmer of hope heading into the final day at Valspar. Photograph: Getty
Sun Mar 13 2016 - 11:29

Bill Haas looked at ease on the greens at the Valspar Championship in Florida on Saturday after a putting tip from Rickie Fowler helped him move into a one-stroke lead over Graham DeLaet after the third round.

American Haas collected five birdies, including a 30-foot chip-in at the 15th, along with one bogey to card a four-under 67 on the Copperhead Course at Innisbrook Resort in Palm Harbor.

He posted an eight-under 205 total, while Canadian DeLaet carded a 68 to improve to seven-under, within sight of his first PGA Tour victory after going winless in 136 career starts.

Charley Hoffman and Ryan Moore trail by three shots, while Steve Stricker, the joint halfway leader, is part of a group sitting four behind.

READ MORE

Defending champion and world number one Jordan Spieth, who shot an opening 76, carded a 67 to sit equal ninth, six shots off the pace.

Padraig Harrington, the only irish player to make it into the weekend, shot a second consecutive 71 to remain at three over par.

Leader Haas, a six-times PGA Tour winner, has a chance to close in on the nine tour victories recorded by his father Jay.

He said: “Everything I do in this game is because of what he taught me growing up.

“Mentally, he’s usually that guy that puts things in perspective for me. If I’m complaining, he says if you want to have a long career, get used to the lows and just enjoy the highs.

“That’s kind of what I’m trying to do. It hasn’t been good lately but like this week shows, you never know what can happen, and hopefully I have a good day tomorrow.”

Haas has also benefited from a putting tip from fellow pro Fowler, weakening his left hand to allow a purer stroke.

“It’s really helped me release the putter. It feels different,” he said. “Right now it’s working.”

DeLaet has three runner-up finishes on tour, along with three third-placings.

He is in contention again thanks in no small measure to an eagle at the par-five 14th, where he hit his second shot from 270 yards from the light rough to within three-feet of the pin.

“That was definitely the jump-start I needed,” he said.

“I was up on this little perch and had a perfect look at the green. I hit three-wood basically as hard as I could.”

Spieth, meanwhile, has not given up making a run at the leaders on Sunday.

He said: “On this golf course, the leaders start getting four-to-five footers on greens that are a little inconsistent, who knows what’s going to happen.

“I really like the position we’re in. Obviously the lead would be better but we’ve got momentum on our side.”