• Sony Open, Round Three

PGA Tour rookies head for Sony Open shootout

ESPN staff
January 13, 2013
Russell Henley and Scott Langley top the Sony Open leaderboard © Getty Images
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Sony Open leaderboard

The Sony Open is shaping into a final-round shootout between two PGA Tour rookies after Russell Henley and Scott Langley shared a three-shot lead after Saturday's play.

It was another record-breaking day at the Waialae Country Club after the pair's 17-under tally of 193 set a new standard for the first 54 holes. Henley had previously broken the 36-hole record on Friday.

It was he who had to work hardest to stay with the pace during the third round, two-putting from 30 feet for birdie at the final hole to level with Langley. That allowed Henley to sign for a 67.

Langley went two better with a 65 to make up ground on the overnight leader, while Tim Clark gave chase three strokes back. If he - or any other player - fails to close the deficit, Henley or Langley will earn a Masters invite on Sunday.

Not since 2001 has a PGA Tour debutant triumphed, yet the friendship of the two 23-year-olds appears to be keeping them calm. Henley has gone 43 holes without a bogey, while Langley is playing loose and aggressive.

Among the chasers is Australian rookie Scott Gardiner, four shots off the pace alongside Charles Howell III. A group of four then sits a further stroke back.

Elsewhere, John Daly was perhaps the most entertaining to watch, for all the wrong reasons. He clubbed a rock and damaged his shoulder at the sixth, making triple bogey, then double-bogeyed the next before another triple at the eighth. A 50-foot birdie completed a memorable front nine as he eventually signed for a 79.

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