ST. SIMONS ISLAND, Ga. (AP) — Maverick McNealy steadied himself after a rocky start with a 4-under 66 Saturday, tying Vince Whaley for one in a wild third round at the RSM Classic in which a half-dozen players scored at least one Share in leadership.
McNealy appeared to have the lead when he hit a wedge on the final hole that rolled right past the hole and settled 8 feet away. He missed the putt and was still in good position after his first PGA Tour victory.
Whaley, also winless on Tour, birdied the 18th for a 63 and will play in the final group for the first time on the PGA Tour. McNealy, who joined at 14-under 198, also shared the 2021 54-hole lead at the season opener in Napa, California.
Whaley played the final PGA Tour event this year with a sense of freedom that not everyone has. He played on a medical extension and completed the required points in July. The next step was placing in the top 125 at the FedEx Cup. He secured that last week with a tie for fifth place in the Bermuda Championship.
Everything else feels like a bonus, and there is no greater perk than winning the Masters and the PGA Championship and a two-year exemption.
“I really have nothing to lose and everything to gain, so I’m just excited for the opportunity,” Whaley said.
There are plenty of chances before the finals. Daniel Berger shot a 63 and moved into the final group, just two shots behind. He was tied on points with former Sea Island winner Mackenzie Hughes (65), Michael Thorbjornsen (67) and Patrick Fishburn (69).
Berger and Thorbjornsen were among those who arrived at Sea Island outside the top 125, the number required to retain full status on tour next year. Thorbjornsen has already secured this as the No. 1 player in the PGA Tour University rankings.
Berger needed a big week and he's delivering, even though he says he's not feeling any stress. Berger missed 19 months with a back injury that he feared could end his career. He is now healthy enough to have played 27 times this year.
“No matter if I play well, I’ll be fine,” said Berger, who played in the 2021 Ryder Cup at Whistling Straits. “When you miss so much time, it takes a while to get back. It’s just a matter of patience and eventually something good will happen.”
Henrik Norlander and Hayden Springer, also on the wrong side of No. 125, each shot 63 and were below those tied for 12th, a position that would currently allow them to move into the top 125.
Joel Dahmen, who had to make a 5-foot par putt to make the cut Friday, shot 70 and finished tied for 61st. He is ranked 124th and his future depends on a big round on Sunday, as well as how Thorbjörnsen, Berger, Norlander and Springer fare.
Further up, eight players were separated by three shots. That includes Florida State sophomore and world No. 1 amateur Luke Clanton, who already has three top-10 finishes on the PGA Tour and is looking for another.
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