Daniel Berger wasn't flawless but he just kept avoiding big problems, which almost nobody has managed to do during the PGA Tour's Honda Classic this week.
That's why he remains the leader at PGA National.
Berger started moving day with a three-shot lead, his 1-under 69 gave him a a five-shot advantage at 11-under 199.
He is just 18 holes away from winning a tournament a 15-minute drive from his home.
"I've played some great golf, but the challenge is still ahead... I've got to stay focused on playing another great round tomorrow and if I can do that then I'll be holding the trophy at the end of the day," Berger said.
Ireland's Shane Lowry (67), Chris Kirk (71), Austrian Sepp Straka (69) and first-round leader Kurt Kitayama (71) were tied for second at 6 under.
Only 13 of the 73 players who made the cut broke par on Saturday.
Nobody went low, and unless Berger starts making many mistakes, somebody is going to have to on Sunday in order to deny him a fifth PGA Tour victory.
Lowry had the day's best round -- and that was just 3 under.
On Sunday he needs to find something more.
Or more specifically, hope that Berger misplaces something.
"Obviously you want to go out and catch him tomorrow, but I don't think you can go and catch anyone on this golf course," Lowry said.
Andrew Kozan, Curtis Thompson, Billy Horschel and Kevin Streelman all shot 68s on Saturday, though in all four cases, that simply meant just getting to even par for the week and nowhere near Berger.
There were hints that Berger might come back to the pack, starting from his first tee shot of the day when he pulled the ball into the left rough, but he remained blemish free until his lone bogey on the final hole.
In a good omen for Berger, 10 of the past 15
Read more on 7news.com.au
7news.com.au
