A week after his first victory on the prestigious American PGA circuit, will Matthieu Pavon repeat the feat in an even more famous tournament, that of Pebble Beach (California)?
The French golfer is in any case in the running to achieve this, at the dawn of the last round this Sunday, since he is in third position after three rounds, two shots behind the leader.
It was the American Wyndham Clark who took the lead, after a magnificent round on Saturday, 12 shots under par.
At minus 17 in total, the winner of the last US Open, author of two eagles, is one stroke ahead of the Swede Ludvig Aberg (-16), and two ahead of Matthieu Pavon (-15), who returned an excellent card of 66 , or six under par.
Also read “No more limits”: after his title on the PGA circuit, can Matthieu Pavon win a Major?
Asked about his meteoric progress, the 31-year-old Frenchman, who is playing his first full season on the prestigious North American circuit, mentioned “a combination of several factors”.
“Confidence in myself and my game”
“I have been getting better and better since my victory in Spain six months ago
(at the Spanish Open, on the European circuit)
.
I got my entry ticket to the PGA and I now approach the American tournaments with confidence in myself and in my game. I think that is the key,” he said.
Can Pavon achieve the feat of a second title barely a week after his triumph at Torrey Pines, the first (of the modern era) by a Frenchman on the PGA circuit?
We may have to wait a bit to find out because the weather is forecast to be bad on Sunday in the Pebble Beach area, located south of San Francisco.
The final round can be followed this Sunday, February 4 on Golf + from 7 p.m. French time, then from 9 p.m. on Canal + Sport.
Ranking after the 3rd round
1. Wyndham Clark (USA) -17 (72-67-60)
2. Ludvig Aberg (SUE) -16 (68-65-67)
3. Matthieu Pavon (FRA) -15 (65-70-66)
4. Thomas Detry (BEL) -14 (63-70-69)
.
Mark Hubbard (USA) (69-68-65)
6. Justin Thomas (USA) -13 (68-67-68)
.
Tom Hoge (USA) (71-66-66)
.
Scottie Scheffler (USA) (69-64-70)
.
Jason Day (AUS) (69-71-63)
10. Sam Burns (USA) – 12 (68-69-67)