Carson Young holed a 30-yard flop shot for eagle on the par-5 15th and shot a 7-under 64 in rainy conditions Saturday to take the third-round lead in his home-state Oneflight Myrtle Beach Classic.
Young, the 30-year-old former Clemson player from Anderson, South Carolina, has a 13-under 200 total at the Dunes Golf and Beach Club. He’s looking for his first PGA Tour win, and it couldn’t come at a better place.
“It’s been cool to have family out here and a bunch of support with friends,” Young said. “I hear a bunch of `Go Tigers!’ out there. … It’s cool to be here in my home state playing golf. It kind of just feels like old times.”
Harry Higgs sits just a stroke back after a 68.
“Thrilled to shoot under par,” Higgs said. “I’m not great in the rain.”
The winner of this PGA Tour event — held opposite a signature tournament this week — gets a spot in the PGA Championship if not already eligible. That’s a huge incentive for players like Young looking to break through.
Young’s round really caught fire on the back nine. He birdied the par-5 13th and par-4 16th — playing a four-hole stretch in 4 under, highlighted by that spectacular eagle.
“Honestly, it was a lot of fun out there, even with the rain, just because I was making putts and making some chip shots,” Young said. “Just played really solid golf. Nothing too flashy out there. But it was just really good golf.”
Mackenzie Hughes had a 70 to drop two shots behind. The Canadian has been consistent all week, shooting a 63 to take the first-round lead and following with a 69 on Friday to maintain a share of the top spot.
Victor Perez made a move with a 66 to join a crowded group at 10 under that includes Ryan Fox (68), Davis Shore (70), Norman Xiong (69) and Danny Walker (70).
