Austin Smotherman shot 6-under 65 in Saturday's third round to maintain a one-shot lead over Doug Ghim at 23-under 190 heading into Sunday's final round at Black Desert Resort. Smotherman is making his 100th career PGA Tour start and seeking his first victory.
Smotherman responded to each challenge during the round with birdies. After three-putting for bogey on the 10th hole to fall into a tie with Kevin Streelman, he birdied three of the next four holes. When Ghim birdied the 17th and 18th holes to share the lead both times, Smotherman matched with birdies of his own, including a 12-footer on 18.
Ghim carded a bogey-free 62 to reach 22-under par, recording his first bogey of the tournament on the ninth hole where he hit into lava rocks and took a stroke-and-distance penalty. He recovered with six birdies on the back nine, including an 8-foot birdie on 17 and a pitch to 3 feet on 18.
Streelman fell five shots back after a four-shot swing on the 13th hole where he made triple bogey while Smotherman birdied. Johnny Keefer posted the day's low round of 62, and Ben James shot 64 to join Trace Crowe at 18-under par, five shots behind the leader.
Smotherman's score of 23-under already matches the 72-hole tournament record at Black Desert Resort. Eight of the top 10 players on the leaderboard are seeking their first PGA Tour victory, with winners earning a two-year exemption and a spot in the 2028 Championship Series.