Devon Bling carded a 9-under 62 on Thursday to take a three-stroke lead over Walker Lee heading into the Friday’s final round at Chambers Bay. The recent UCLA graduate, who turned in rounds of 71-66 to start the tournament, currently sits at 14-under 199 with one round remaining.
Bling made four birdies on his first nine holes and turned in 33. He collected six birdies on his inward nine to come home in 29 for a score of 62.
“I hit my irons incredibly well and hit my spots every single time, that was the key,” said Bling. “I’ve been working on a few things with my swing and today I felt totally comfortable.”
After today’s performance, Bling is 10-under par on the back nine at Chambers Bay over the last two days.
Lee, who recently wrapped up his collegiate career at Texas A&M, made a nice move up the leaderboard on Thursday with a third round 63 and heads into the final round at 11-under 202, three strokes off the pace. Lee also blistered the back nine at Chambers Bay with six birdies, including four on the last five holes, to match Bling’s 29.👀🔥 Have a day Devon Bling!!
— Pacific Coast Amateur (@PacificCoastAm) July 23, 2021
Bling goes lowwwww at @ChambersBayGolf with a 9-under 62 in today's third round to take the lead heading into the final round of the #PacCoastAm! pic.twitter.com/EBAvmkpgtw
Sam Choi and first round leader Gavin Cohen are four back at 1-under 203.
Joe Highsmith, the bucket hat-wearing lefthander from Pepperdine, moved into fifth place at 9-under after signing for a 65 on Thursday.
Second round leader Dylan Menante, who shot a 64 on Wednesday, struggled to a third round 74 and is now tied for ninth at 6-under 207.