Young near the title at Wyndham: Big lead with birdies

Cameron Young is shaping up as the big favorite to take the victory at the Wyndham Championship, after an outstanding performance that positions him with a five-stroke lead.

Young’s Domain in the Field

American golfer Cameron Young demonstrated his superiority on the course by recording four consecutive birdies in the first half of the round, extending his lead to eight strokes during Saturday’s play. Despite some setbacks, Young remained calm and closed the day with a score of 65 strokes, five under par. Young, who had previously completed a bogey-free round, continued his dominance with impressive birdies, including a 30-foot one on the 4th hole and another two-putt on the 5th hole.

“I played really good golf for about an hour. I had some chances on the back nine, but didn’t make as many putts. But I hung in there with some average shots in the middle of the round, and it was good to finish the way I did,” Young commented.

Cameron Young

Nico Echavarria, from Colombia, tried to close the gap with three birdies in four holes, finishing with a 64. However, Young responded with a birdie on the 15th hole and another on the 17th, consolidating his lead. Young, known for being one of the best players without wins on the main circuit, seeks his first title on the PGA Tour. His record includes seven runner-up finishes, including a World Golf Championship and the 2022 Open Championship.

“I’m trying to just focus on what I’m doing. Like I said, trying to hit the best shots possible and trying to make the putts and we’ll see what happens after 18 holes,” Echavarria said.

Nico Echavarria

With a cumulative score of 20 under par, Young needs a 67 on Sunday to set a new tournament record. His main goal is to secure a PGA Tour title, especially with an eye on joining the Ryder Cup team at Bethpage Black. A triumph could catapult him to number 15, and would put him in a favorable position to be considered for the Ryder Cup. In the chasing group, Aaron Rai, Chris Kirk, and Mac Meissner share third place. Regarding the FedEx Cup standings, Chris Kirk is ranked 73rd, while Davis Thompson and Gary Woodland are looking to secure their place in the playoffs. Matti Schmid, who was in 70th place, achieved a remarkable comeback, finishing the day in 13th place. Danish twins Nicolai and Rasmus Hojgaard also maintain hopes of advancing, although they need an outstanding performance in the final round.