After Saturday’s play was cancelled due to fog, Brendan Steele shot a one-under-par 71 in the third round Sunday at Torrey Pines South to move into a tie for 22nd place at five under par.
The Idyllwild native’s two bogeys in that round came on two of the toughest par fours on the course, the 7th and the 12th holes. But they were bracketed by three birdies at the par-four 1st and 17th holes and the par-five 18th.
The fourth round also began on Sunday and Steele’s group managed to get to the middle of the 14th fairway before the horn cancelled further play due to darkness. By then Steele had bogeyed the par-four 5th and 12th holes, but had bounced back with a birdie at the par-five 13th for a score of one over par in the round with five holes to play.
He currently stands at four under par in the tournament in a tie for 26th place and will probably need a couple of more birdies to secure a top-25 or top-20 finish.
Like every other player, Steel is at his best when he is putting for birdies instead of pars, and his putter has been steady. Throughout the tournament, it has been a source of birdies when his iron play has been sharp, and it has come to the rescue to save par several times when an approach shot was less than desirable.
Fourth-round play will recommence today, Monday, at 11:10 with Steele in the middle of the 14th fairway.
