Alex Noren out to go the distance at Bermuda

Field Level Media|published: Sat 11th November, 18:24 2023

May 27, 2023; Fort Worth, Texas, USA; Alex Noren watches his shot from the third tee during the third round of the Charles Schwab Challenge golf tournament. credits: Jim Cowsert-USA TODAY Sports

Sweden's Alex Noren has his eyes set on a wire-to-wire victory, remaining in the lead of the Butterfield Bermuda Championship through three rounds Saturday with a 4-under-par 67.

Noren is at 19-under 194 for the tournament and will have a one-shot lead overnight heading toward Sunday's final round at Port Royal Golf Course.

Camilo Villegas moved into sole possession of second place with a 6-under 65 on Saturday and is at 18 under for the tournament. The 41-year-old, who last won in 2014, had an early lead at last week's World Wide Technology Championship in Mexico before tying for second.

Villegas is among the players trying to work their way into the top 125 of the FedEx Cup Fall standings with two events left. Villegas was No. 223 before last week but now stands at No. 147, with a good chance to move even higher by the end of the day Sunday.

Ryan Moore (67 on Saturday) and Matti Schmid of Germany (65) were tied for third place at 17 under. Stewart Cink (66) was another shot back at 16 under.

Noren was a steady even par through six holes in the third round before birdies at Nos. 7 and 8. He had two more birdies on the back nine to maintain his lead, including one at the par-5 17th hole.

"This is what you dream of, having a chance to win and being up in the final group on a Saturday, Sunday," said the 41-year-old Noren, who has won 10 times in Europe but has not won on the PGA Tour. "I really enjoyed it today. I came off maybe a little colder start, but I played good enough to kind of get that 4 under in the end. I'm happy to be in the lead still."

Villegas traded a birdie and a bogey over the first four holes before catching fire. He had six birdies over the final 12 holes to move into second place.

Noren, Villegas and Moore will not have to introduce themselves to each other Sunday.

"Alex and Ryan Moore, we played college golf together," Villegas said. "That's good, we've got a good group (Sunday).

"It's nice to be in the final group for a second consecutive week. That tells me that I'm doing the right thing, that all the work that I've been putting in is heading on the right track. But we've only played three rounds. Golf tournaments are four."

—Field Level Media