Dominant Scheffler closes in on first win of year

Third-round leaderboard for CJ Cup Byron Nelson

-23 S Scheffler (US), -15 R Castillo (US), A Schenk (US), E Van Rooyen (SA), -14 K Kitayama (US), J Vegas (Ven)

As the world number one approaches its first century victory on Sunday, Scottie Scheffler holds an eight-shot lead into the final round of the CJ Cup Byron Nelson.

The 28-year-old American completed his third round at TPC Craig Ranch in Texas, posting a five-under-par 66.

Adam Schenk and Ricky Castillo, Scheffler’s compatriots, and Erik van Rooyen, both from South Africa, share second place on the 15-under chart.

The only other players besides American Kurt Kitayama and Venezuelan Jhonattan Vegas are 14 under when Scheffler, who birdied the 18th hole despite finishing the round in the dark after the horn blew to a standstill, is the only other player.

Scheffler explained that he wanted to avoid the unpleasantness of having to go back to the course on Sunday morning to finish his third round before having to wait anxiously for his final 18 holes to start the final pairing.

He said, “I think it would have saved me a shot on Sunday if we were going to come back pretty early in the morning, even if finishing 18 would have cost me a shot,” citing energy, not having to arrive early, and waiting five hours or so to tee off.

I was undoubtedly very anxious to finish once they gave us the go-ahead to do so.

He continued, “I finished in the dark many times growing up, but I couldn’t see very well.” Not that big of a deal, really.

Scheffler shot a 36-hole total on Friday, matching his PGA Tour rookie record of 61.

Justin Thomas’ 123 at the 2017 Sony Open was the second-lowest 36-hole total in Tour history.

The third round didn’t begin until Saturday afternoon because the storm-affected second round was delayed for more than six hours before being suspended.

Scheffler, who won seven PGA Tour titles last year, split seven birdies and two bogeys to move one step closer to victory and the prize money of $1.78 million (£1.3 million), which Scheffler won.

Scheffler had hand injuries surgery to have him have surgery on the beginning of the season. His first major of the year, the Masters, saw him finish fourth last month.