Just a single bogey on Saturday saw Erik van Rooyen climb five places into a share of 27th after the third round of the PGA Tour’s The Sentry at Plantation Course at Kapalua Golf Club in Kapalua, Hawaii.
After his superb second round of eight-under-par 65, Van Rooyen signed for a four-under-par 69 to move to 13-under-par for the tournament. That put him eight strokes off the lead which was held by Chris Kirk of the United States. At 21-under, Kirk led by one from Akshay Bhatia, with their countrymen Xander Schauffele and Jordan Spieth in a share of third on 19-under.
World number on Scottie Scheffler had a two-under 71 in the third round, and slipped to a share of sixth on 18-under. Nedbank Golf Challenge champion Max Homa rode the wind to the longest drive of the week – 477 yards – and moved to 15-under and a share of 17th.
The tournament is the first of the 2024 PGA Tour season, and is a no-cut ‘Signature Event’ which opens the season on the revamped schedule. As part of the tour’s response to the threat posed by LIV Golf, the prize fund for this event is $20-million, so a strong Sunday showing will see Van Rooyen open his year with a good payday. The winner will bank R3.6-million and 21st place will win more that a quarter-of-a-million dollars.
