Australia's Karl Vilips grabs lead at Puerto Rico Open

Field Level Media|published: Sat 8th March, 22:17 2025

Feb 28, 2025; Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, USA; Karl Vilips plays his shot from the fifth tee during the second round of the Cognizant Classic in The Palm Beaches golf tournament. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-Imagn Images

Australia's Karl Vilips is fighting stomach problems and the rest of the field in pursuit of his first PGA Tour title after grabbing a one-stroke lead Saturday through three rounds of the Puerto Rico Open.

Vilips, 23, collected seven birdies against one bogey in carding a 6-under-par 66 to reach 18-under 198 at Grand Reserve Golf Club in Rio Grande. He leads another former Stanford University player, Joseph Bramlett (8-under 64 on Saturday) and amateur Kieron Van Wyk (65) of South Africa, who are at 17 under.

In only his fourt PGA Tour event, Vilips said he didn't know why he has lost a lot of weight this week.

"Just like it feels like it's shrinking me," said Vilips, nonetheless competing very well in his first time playing this course.

"Feeling pretty good with the position I'm in," he said. "I wish my stomach felt a little bit better, but it is what it is. You've got one more day, just battle through it."

Vilips earned his PGA Tour card last season on the Korn Ferry Tour. He said Saturday that he has a back injury that delayed his start this season. Still, he made the cut at the Mexico Open at VidantWorld in February (tie for 72nd) and the Cognizant Classic in The Palm Beaches last week (T39).

The 36-year-old Bramlett, who has played 159 PGA Tour events and is seeking his first title, fired a bogey-free round with birdies at Nos. 3, 6, 8, 9, 11, 13, 16 and 18.

Van Wyk, 23, made an eagle on the par-5 No. 14 and birdies at Nos. 1, 7, 9, 11 and 17 with no blemishes. The senior at the College of Charleston is making his PGA Tour debut. He is ranked No. 1 in the APGA Collegiate Ranking and earned an exemption into this event by winning the 2024 White Sands Bahamas Men's NCAA Golf Invitational.

He is aiming to become the second amateur winner in two years on the tour, joining Nick Dunlap, who won The American Express at La Quinta in January 2024.

The Puerto Rico Open is an alternate event for players who did not qualify for the Arnold Palmer Invitational. Second-round leader Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen of Denmark shot a 73 and fell into a tie for ninth at 14 under.

--Field Level Media

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