Mark Hubbard fired a 7-under-par 64 on Saturday to claim a 1-shot edge over England’s Aaron Rai through three rounds of the ONEflight Myrtle Beach Classic.
The 36-year-old Hubbard, who has yet to win a PGA Tour title and hasn’t finished in the top 20 this year, reeled off four straight birdies late in his round to push to 16 under 197 heading into the final round of this opposite-field event.
“I felt like I had some of the best ball control I’ve had all season, maybe my whole career today,” Hubbard said. “But I felt like I was kind of leaving a few out there in the middle of the round.”
After posting birdies on just two of his first 10 holes, Hubbard recorded a birdie at No. 11 before pouring it on with birdies on Nos. 14 through 17.
“I think Mark a couple of weeks ago would have gotten pretty frustrated and turned a 64 into a 68,” Hubbard said. “I just stayed really patient and just tried and kept hitting good shot after good shot and eventually the putts started going in.”
Rai, who held a one-shot lead entering Saturday’s play, shrugged off his lone bogey at No. 8 by reeling off four consecutive birdies to start his back nine. He finished at 5 under for the day.
“Had a great section in the middle of the round,” Rai said. “Made a few birdies back-to-back, which really kind of got things going. Yeah, really pleased overall.”
Kevin Roy pulled within two shots of Hubbard with a bogey-free 65. Beau Hossler and Mac Meissner tied for the day’s lowest round with 64s to remain three shots shy of Hubbard. Brandt Snedeker (67) joined them at 13 under.
Brooks Koepka registered an eagle at the par-5 15th on his way to a 64. He shares seventh place with Japan’s Keita Nakajima (67) and South Africa’s Christiaan Bezuidenhout (68), five shots out of the lead.
“I feel like I’m striking it as good as I ever have, driving it as good as I ever have,” said Koepka, who posted a 7 under 29 on the back nine. “If I can continue to do that, then I’m going to be very pleased where I’m at for a while.”
