J.J. Spaun climbs into lead at Sony Open in Hawaii

Field Level Media|published: Sat 11th January, 20:37 2025

January 11, 2025; Honolulu, Hawaii, USA; J.J. Spaun lines up his putt on the 13th hole during the third round of the Sony Open golf tournament at Waialae Country Club. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-Imagn Images

J.J. Spaun shot a 5-under-par 65 to move into the lead through three rounds of the Sony Open on Saturday at Waialae Country Club in Honolulu.

Spaun's best score of the tournament puts him at 13-under 197 going to Sunday's final round. He'll have plenty of pursuers within range.

He's ahead of second-round co-leader Patrick Fishburn (68), Eric Cole (67) and Germany's Stephan Jaeger (62) by one stroke. Jaeger had the best score of the day with birdies on six of the final 10 holes.

Spaun, appearing in his 219th PGA Tour event, is seeking his second victory. The first came in the 2022 Texas Open.

Spaun was clean for most of the day, scattering five birdies over the first 14 holes before alternating bogeys and birdies on the last four.

Fishburn began the round with two birdies, but played the back nine 2 over.

Keegan Bradley (64) Englishman Harry Hall (65) and Canadian Nick Taylor (65) are among a cluster of six golfers tied for fifth at 11 under.

Denny McCarthy, who was even with Fishburn entering the round, slipped to a tie for 16th after shooting 71. Japan's Kensei Hirata, who had a 63 for Friday's best round, is also in that group at 9 under after posting a 70 on Saturday.

There are 14 golfers within three shots of Spaun and 27 within five strokes of the top spot.

--Field Level Media