PACIFIC PALISADES, Calif. — The third round of the 2021 Genesis Invitational finally wrapped up early on Sunday morning at Riviera Country Club and it’s official: Saturday’s high winds and ensuing four-hour delay delivered a serious body blow to the field.
The third-round scoring average of 73.343 is the highest at Riviera for a weekend round since 1983.
Sam Burns, who led by five after two rounds, now holds a two-shot lead over World No. 1 Dustin Johnson, Matthew Fitzpatrick and Max Homa.
Burns started his Sunday with five holes to go to finish his third round and bogeyed the 14th hole to fall back to 9 under. He made a nine-footer for par on the 18th hole to put a cap on a 74. This is his second 54-hole lead.
Fitzpatrick parred the 18th to get to 7 under. He was one of three golfers to break 70 in the third round. Matt Jones and Talor Gooch did as well but they played all 18 holes of their third rounds in Saturday’s blustery conditions.
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Johnson, who won the tournament in 2017, has posted rounds of 68-67-71 and is seeking his 25th Tour victory. Johnson has at least one Tour win every year since 2008.
There is a six-way tie for fifth at 5 under between Jones, Gooch, Tony Finau, Cameron Smith, Patrick Cantlay and Alex Noren.
Jordan Spieth posted a third-round 73 and is T-11. Tyler McCumber, who was in Saturday’s final group, posted a third-round 77, as did Brooks Koepka, who is now T-49.
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