LA QUINTA, Calif. – Steve Saunders took a three-stroke lead Saturday in the Web.com Tour Qualifying Tournament, birdieing his final four holes on PGA West’s TPC Stadium Course for a 5-under 67.
The 25-year-old Saunders, from Fort Collins, Colo., had a 17-under 199 after 54 holes in the six-day, 108-hole event that will determine player priority rankings for the Web.com Tour season.
''I was just pretty steady all day today and gave myself a lot of opportunities,’' Saunders said. ''I made a 30-footer for birdie on 17 and then hit it in the fairway bunker on 18 and hit it to about 25 and made that one to finish with a flurry, which was cool.’'
Scotland’s Jimmy Gunn and Scott Pinckney of Scottsdale, Ariz., were tied for second. Gunn had a 64, and Pinckney shot 67 – both on the TPC Stadium Course.