Scotland’s Russell Knox revealed he was still recovering from Thursday’s battering despite taking advantage on golf’s ‘moving day’ with five birdies in a rousing round 67 on day three of the Butterfield Bermuda Championship.
Knox found one of the shortest routes early on the largest of the 181 islands that make-up the Bermuda group in moving to six-under par ahead of the final day in the £stg 4.7m event.
Inverness-born Knox was off to a great start with birdies on two and three ahead of his only bogey on the day at the sixth. He bounced back with birdies at eight, the 10th and 13th holes ahead of five closing pars.
Scotland’s Russell Knox contesting this week’s Butterfield Bermuda Championship
The Scot had been out in the second group on day one feeling the full brunt of gusts nearing 35 mph and also getting cramping in his hands battling his umbrella during three drenching showers in shooting a gutsy one-over 72.
Knox said: “Being born in Scotland, I love the wind but after that round on Thursday I just haven’t felt the same these past two days.
“With the wind now not as strong the scores are much better but in saying that it’s coming from a different direction today compared to yesterday so pleased to birdie three of the four par-3s though in saying that I didn’t putt that well as I had a couple of three-putts.
“So, it was a weird kind of day and I have to be happy shooting four-under”.
However, event organisers are bringing forward Sunday’s final round with predictions of a return to the Thursday-like weather.
Knox said: “That should make it again enjoyable (smiling) but hopefully it’s not stormy and we can play and get finished”.
Canadian Taylor Pendrith, and officially on his honeymoon, superbly added a six-under par 65 and moved three shots clear of the field at 17-under par.
Pendrith, 30, has won twice on the Canada PGA Tour and is now eyeing a wedding gift of a two-year PGA Tour exemption and a maiden Masters invitation next April.
New Zealander Danny Lee, with a 65, is in second place at 14-under par and one shot clear of Aussie and reigning Dubai Duty Free Irish Open champion, Lucas Herbert signing for a second straight 65 and lying on 13-under.
