JEJU, South Korea (AP) — Justin Thomas fired a 2-under 70 in windy conditions to share the lead with fellow American Scott Brown after the third round of the CJ Cup on Saturday.
Thomas offset a lone double bogey and a bogey with five birdies to reach the clubhouse at 9-under 207.
“I know for a fact I played better today than I did on Thursday when I shot a 9 under,” Thomas said. “It’s just so hard out there. I’ve never played in a place where the wind swirls as much as it does here.”
Brown had back-to-back bogeys on Nos. 10 and 11 but recovered with two birdies on the back nine for a 71.
“It was playing tough today,” Brown said. “Just kind of grounded it out, not a lot of birdies to be made. I just made some clutch up-and-downs to kind of keep the round going.”
Anirban Lahiri of India moved into a share of third place with Australian Marc Leishman (71) after a 69 that included four birdies and a bogey.
Whee Kim (70) was the highest placed of the 16 South Korean players in the field, tied for fifth after a 72.
Overnight leader Luke List struggled with the conditions and fell into a tie for eighth place after a 76. List had three bogeys on the front nine and a pair of double bogeys on the back nine.
Jason Day also struggled with the wind, carding a 71 to be tied for 16th on 3-under 213.
More wind is forecast for the final round on Sunday.
