J.J. Spaun Takes Lead at Sony Open After Patrick Fishburn Falters

J.J. Spaun seized the lead at the PGA Tour Sony Open after Patrick Fishburn's late collapse, finishing the third round with a 65.

J.J. Spaun took the lead at the PGA Tour Sony Open in Hawaii after firing a five-under-par 65 in the third round on Saturday. Spaun's impressive round included birdies on the 16th and 18th holes, which helped offset bogeys on the 15th and 17th holes. He finished 54 holes on 13-under 197 at Honolulu's windy Waialae Country Club. “It was a pretty solid round overall,” Spaun said. “Just got off to a pretty solid start. Made a few pars on the first couple holes and then a nice birdie on three. Just took what it gave me and took the opportunities when they came and capitalized on it.”

Germany's Stephan Jaeger made a significant move up the leaderboard with a PGA career-low 62, featuring nine birdies and a bogey. Jaeger shares second place on 198 with Americans Eric Cole and Patrick Fishburn, who shot a 68 after sharing the 36-hole lead with countryman Denny McCarthy. Fishburn's round was marked by a strong start, but he struggled on the back nine. “I got off to a nice start. The back nine was completely different. It was brutal,” Fishburn said. “I had a lot of downgrain, downwind putts that you couldn't really get aggressive with.”

Fishburn reflected on his round, acknowledging the challenges he faced on the back nine. “It was a little bit tricky but I hung in there the best that I could,” he said. “I wish I would have made those last two (par) putts but it was an OK day. I'm glad it's four rounds so I get another shot at it tomorrow.” Despite his struggles, Fishburn remains in contention, and he's looking forward to the final round.

J.J. Spaun, a Los Angeles native, has been keeping a close eye on the devastating wildfires in his hometown area. “It's pretty tragic,” Spaun said, expressing his sympathy for those affected. “I don't have any family or friends in that region that have been affected, but I know a lot of people that know people that were affected, and it's devastating. It's sad to see.”

Spaun's emotions were evident, but he remained focused on the golf course, delivering a crucial birdie putt from just outside 17 feet at the 16th hole to tie Patrick Fishburn for the lead at 13-under. However, Fishburn quickly regained the sole lead with a birdie putt from just inside six feet at the 14th hole. Spaun's momentum was temporarily halted when he missed the green and made bogey at the par-3 17th hole, missing a 10-foot par putt.

The lead changed hands once again as Fishburn made a bogey at the 15th hole, while Spaun chipped inside five feet at the 18th hole and sank his birdie putt to retake the lead. Fishburn's struggles continued as he found his first greenside bunker of the week at the 17th hole. Although he pitched to six feet, he missed his par putt, ultimately leaving Spaun alone at the top of the leaderboard.

J.J. Spaun maintained his composure to retain the lead at the PGA Tour Sony Open in Hawaii. At the par-5 18th, Patrick Fishburn's birdie attempt slid right of the hole, securing Spaun's position atop the leaderboard. Fishburn had blasted out of a fairway bunker into a greenside bunker, then pitched to just inside eight feet, but ultimately came up short.

Spaun credited his relaxed mindset for his strong performance in Hawaii. “I've felt pretty calm and relaxed,” Spaun said. “It's always laid back and easygoing. I've been carrying that mindset on the course and it's easy to feel that way when you're playing well.” This approach has helped Spaun stay focused and composed under pressure.

Fishburn had started the day strongly, opening with back-to-back birdies to take the lead. He sank a 16-foot putt at the first hole and chipped in from 50 feet at the second. After a bogey at the third, Fishburn responded with a 10-foot birdie putt at the fifth. He extended his lead to two strokes with a 33-foot birdie putt at the eighth and a six-foot birdie putt at the par-5 ninth. However, his momentum was halted when he missed the green at the par-3 11th and made bogey, falling back into a tie with Spaun.